JAMMU, Feb 16: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and the Leh Apex Body (LAB)–Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) appear to be heading towards another round of confrontation. While the MHA has not formally rejected the demands for Statehood and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh, it is reportedly unwilling to concede them. Meanwhile, the twin Ladakh bodies have refused to consider alternatives such as granting enhanced powers to the Hill Councils or changing their nomenclature.
Sources familiar with the developments following the February 4 meeting of the High Powered Committee (HPC) in New Delhi, chaired by Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai, said the LAB and KDA have outrightly rejected the proposal to strengthen the Hill Councils by granting them powers almost equivalent to those of a Government as an alternative to Statehood.
“We refused to consider the MHA’s proposal for empowering the Hill Councils. That is not our demand,” LAB co-chairman Chering Dorjay Lakruk said, maintaining that their core demands for Statehood and Sixth Schedule status have not been rejected by the MHA.
Controversy had erupted following reports that the MHA had outrightly rejected the demands for Statehood and Sixth Schedule status. However, Ladakh Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra dismissed these reports. Leaders of the LAB and KDA also clarified that their demands were not rejected during the February 4 HPC meeting, though the MHA offered Councils with enhanced powers—an option they declined to consider.
The LAB and KDA are now awaiting the next round of talks with the MHA, which was promised within 15–20 days of the February 4 meeting. If the talks are delayed, the two bodies are expected to hold a joint meeting to decide their future course of action. Currently, the KDA is in mourning following the sudden demise of its chairman, Qamar Ali Akhoon. No communication has yet been received regarding the next round of dialogue.
According to official sources, the Centre is prepared to grant the Chairpersons and Vice-Chairpersons of the Councils the rank and powers equivalent to that of a Chief Minister and Deputy Chief Minister, along with adequate financial authority. However, sources confirmed that this proposal is not acceptable to the LAB and KDA, which remain firm on their demand for full Statehood and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh.
At present, Ladakh has two Autonomous Hill Development Councils—Leh and Kargil. While the Kargil Council is functional, the Leh Council ceased to exist in October 2025 after completing its five-year term, as fresh elections were not conducted following the announcement of five new districts for Ladakh.
On August 26, 2024, the MHA announced five new districts—Sham, Changthang, and Nubra in Leh, and Zanskar and Drass in Kargil—taking the total number of districts in Ladakh to seven.
Sources said the Centre is willing to establish Hill Councils in all seven districts if consensus is reached, though no formal decision has been taken. Alternatively, two Councils could continue for Leh and Kargil, with the newly created districts becoming part of them.
“The Centre is ready to vest the Councils with substantial financial and administrative powers with adequate safeguards,” sources added.
The LAB and KDA had submitted a draft proposal to the MHA in November last year seeking Statehood and inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, granting it tribal status. The previous round of talks was held on October 22, 2025. (Agencies)
