Excelsior Correspondent
LEH, Aug 17: During an interactive meeting, CEC, LAHDC Gyal P Wangyal presented a memorandum to Arjun Munda, Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, demanding to declare Ladakh as Tribal area under the Article 244 of Indian Constitution and bringing it under the provision of sixth schedule to ensure inclusive development of the region in accordance with the aspiration of 98 percent of tribal population of Ladakh.
Renuka Singh, MOS Tribal Affairs, MP Ladakh Jamyang Tsering Namgial, Dy Chairman Tsering Sandup, all the Executive Councilors, Councilor Diskit, Chairman TRIFED R C Meena, and Ex MLC Chering Dorjey were present in the meeting.
CEC appraised the Minister that Ladakh has never received the facilities, incentives and other tribal rights which the region deserves being a tribal area with its distinct culture identity and inhospitable topography. He said that with Modi Government declaring Ladakh as UT, the long pending demand of Ladakhis has been fulfilled. At the same time, he impressed upon the desire of local people and the need to ensure protection of land, environment, fragile ecology and unique identity of Ladakh by declaring it as a schedule tribal area.
Arjun Munda, Union Minister for Tribal Affairs, expressed happiness get the chance to visit and interact with the people of Ladakh after declared it as UT. He said that this recent declaration of Ladakh as UT has shown the concern of PM Narendra Modi for the people of Ladakh. He said that in coming times there will be new rules, acts, amendments in UT Ladakh and the Autonomous Hill Council will be brought into proper constitutional frame work.
The Minister assured that all the decisions will be taken considering the aspirations, culture, identity, demography and other factors in favour of the locals. He said that with Ladakh becoming UT, the region will be treated equally as any other part of the country with equal opportunity for developmental growth and regional prosperity.