JAMMU, Mar 20: The Ministry of Home Affairs is prepared to move ahead with the operationalisation of newly announced districts in Ladakh and restore cuts in budgetary expenditure, but has urged the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) to adopt a more flexible approach on the issues of Statehood and Sixth Schedule status.
Sources said the Centre is open to discussing and considering various demands raised by Ladakh representatives, including the formal creation of new districts, restoration of budget allocations, and development concerns. However, it has suggested exploring mutually acceptable alternatives on Statehood and Sixth Schedule provisions.
The government maintains that Union Territory status—granted on August 5, 2019—was a long-standing demand of the people of Ladakh. It also noted that five new districts were announced in August 2024, which would take the total number from two to seven, although these are yet to be formally operationalised.
While the Centre has not outright rejected the demands for Statehood and Sixth Schedule status, it has indicated reservations about granting full Statehood, instead offering safeguards in alternative forms to be discussed during meetings of the High Powered Committee (HPC). The last HPC meeting held on February 4 did not yield any breakthrough.
Meanwhile, LAB and KDA have reiterated their firm stand, insisting on both Statehood and Sixth Schedule status, backed by a detailed proposal submitted to the Centre in November last year.
In a related development, a delegation from the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, led by Chief Executive Councillor Mohd Jaffer Akhoon and Member of Parliament Mohammad Haneefa Jan, met Amit Shah in New Delhi.
The delegation submitted a memorandum seeking operationalisation of civil flights from Kargil, including runway expansion and the development of a full-fledged airport to ensure connectivity, especially during winter months.
They also demanded district status for Sankoo and Shakar-Chiktan subdivisions, restoration of financial powers for local authorities, and improved healthcare and education infrastructure, including a 200-bed hospital, an engineering college, and an agricultural university in Kargil.
Additionally, the delegation sought a special financial package for tourism, agriculture, and horticulture, as well as early execution of approved hydroelectric projects and the creation of a dedicated Indian Reserve Battalion for the region. (Agency)
