LAHDCs set to be empowered to take such measures
Other powers of the bodies likely to go up
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, May 8: Finally, the Central Government is set for empowerment of the twin Hill Development Councils in the Union Territory of Ladakh to ensure safeguards for land, environment, cultural, language and heritage etc which the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) are demanding through Sixth Schedule.
A proposal to this effect was mooted earlier also but didn’t mature then.
The Union Home Ministry, which is the Nodal Ministry for Union Territories, may take the Parliament route now or issue an order for empowerment of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDCs), Leh and Kargil, sources told the Excelsior saying a proposal to this effect is under consideration of the Central Government.
An year ago, similar proposal was discussed but couldn’t get through but now it is likely to get Centre’s nod.
“This will serve twin purposes. First, it will empower the Hill Councils and Secondly, the protection of land, environment, culture, language, heritage etc will be done through the Councils with adequate safeguards,” sources said.
In addition to the powers for protection of land, culture etc, the twin Councils of Leh and Kargil will also be empowered with more financial and administrative powers which will help them to carry out more developmental works in their areas of jurisdiction.
However, they clarified that the High Powered Committee (HPC) constituted by the Union Home Ministry in the beginning of this year stands. On the HPC not holding any meeting so far even after four months of constitution, they said, the twin organizations–Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) which are demanding Statehood, Sixth Schedule status, two Parliamentary seats and employment opportunities for Ladakh, have dissociated themselves from the HPC.
The LAB and KDA want members from their bodies to be included in the HPC as per their choice besides incorporation of their agenda. They have already sent letters to the MHA mentioning names from their bodies who should be part of the HPC as well as agenda items for discussion including Sixth Schedule status, Statehood to Ladakh, two Parliamentary seats and job opportunities.
When approached for comments on delay in initiation of talks between the Union Home Ministry and representatives of Ladakh, senior BJP leader and lone Member of Parliament from the Union Territory Jamyang Tsering Namgayal said Narendra Modi Government including Home Minister Amit Shah have done a lot for the Union Territory of Ladakh.
“A decision on extending Constitutional safeguards to Ladakh will also be taken shortly,” Namgayal said.
Asked how it will be done, the Ladakh MP said it is for the Central Government to take a decision but whatever done will be in the interest of Ladakhis just like Narendra Modi fulfilled years-old demand of the people of Ladakh for Union Territory status.
“The HPC has been constituted and all issues of Ladakh are being constantly monitored by the Prime Minister and the Home Minister,” the MP Ladakh said.
LAB chief Thupstan Namgayal was not available for comments.
The HPC was mandated to discuss measures to protect the region’s unique culture and language taking into consideration its geographical location and strategic importance, ensure protection of land and employment for the people of Ladakh, discuss measures for inclusive development and employment generation and measures related to empowerment of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDC) of Leh and Kargil.
The HPC is headed by Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai as Chairman has Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, Jamyang Tsering Namgayal, MP Ladakh, Chairpersons-cum-CECs of LAHDC Leh and Kargil, Joint Secretary, Department of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh Affairs in MHA, Director/ Deputy Secretary (Ladakh), Department of Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh Affairs, MHA as Member Secretary and one nominated member from MHA.
The HPC has five members of LAB and four from KDA.
They include Thupstan Chhewang, Chairman LAB and president LBA, Nawang Rigzin Jora, former Minister and president, Territorial Congress Committee Ladakh, Ashraf Ali Barcha, president, Anjuman-e-Islamia; Shia body, Leh, Acharya Stanzin Wangtak, president, All Ladakh Gompa Association and Kushok Thiksey alias Nawang Chamba Stanzin alias Thiksey Rinpoche, Leh, all from LAB and Asgar Ali Karbalaie, co-chairman KDA and Working President Territorial Congress Committee, Ladakh, Qamar Ali Akhoon, co-chairman KDA and senior NC leader, Sajjad Kargili, social activist and representative, Islamia School Kargil and Tsewang Nurboo, president LBA Kargil.
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