After talks; Rai assures another meeting , visit to UT
* Want development through local Reps: LAB, KDA
* Govt will continue to engage with Ladakh bodies: MoS Home
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Dec 4: Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai is reported to have called the Ladakh representatives to explore options other than Sixth Schedule of the Constitution for protection of land, culture, identity etc as the two sides met after over five and a half months in New Delhi following which Rai assured to call another meeting shortly and promised to visit the Union Territory as well.
Chaired by Rai, the meeting remained inconclusive with no major decision or announcement except for an appeal by the Union MoS Home, Chairman of the High Powered Committee, to the representatives of Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), to consider options other than the Sixth Schedule which can also address their concerns on protection of land, culture, identity etc.
Though the representatives from Ladakh also raised the issue of Statehood, there was reportedly no response from the Centre though it didn’t reject any of the demands voiced by the LAB and KDA leaders, outrightly.
The meeting that took place in the North Block at 12 noon lasted about one and a half hour.
The meeting among others was attended by Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla, MHA officers Incharge Ladakh, Director Intelligence Bureau, Lok Sabha Member Jamyang Tsering Namgayal, CECs-cum-Chairpersons of Leh and Kargil Hill Development Councils and Advisor to Ladakh LG Pawan Kotwal. LG Ladakh Brig (Retd) BD Mishra is also a member of the HPC but he couldn’t make it to the meeting as he is undergoing treatment.
Some representatives of LAB and KDA told the Excelsior on telephone from New Delhi that they raised their four-point agenda in the meeting once again which included Statehood to Ladakh, Sixth Schedule status, two Lok Sabha seats and employment opportunities including constitution of the Public Services Commission (PSC).
Thupstan Chhewang, former MP, spoke on behalf of LAB while Asgar Ali Karbalaie raised the points for KDA. It was decided that only one representative each from LAB and KDA will speak to save timing.
Both the representatives from LAB as well as KDA reiterated the four-point agenda and other issues of Ladakh at the meeting.
“The Union MoS Home neither rejected nor accepted any demands but assured to call another meeting shortly. He assured that he might visit Leh or Kargil in the Union Territory of Ladakh soon,’’ one of the representatives at the meeting, said.
Some of the representatives from Ladakh insisted on specific date for next meeting but it wasn’t given.
One of the representatives said Nityanand Rai mentioned about development works carried out in Ladakh after it became the Union Territory and funds given to it by the Centre. To this, they remarked that the LAB and KDA are asking for powers to the local representatives to spend these funds through them so that they are utilized where they are required.
And this, he added, is possible only through Statehood and Sixth Schedule.
“Development is alright but we want change in the System. The System should be such that local representatives of Ladakh have the powers to utilize funds,’’ another representative said.
On the issue of delay in recruitment of Gazetted Officers, the insiders said, the MHA representatives assured that the process will start very shortly as rules are in the final stage of finalizations.
LAB representatives who attended the meeting include Thupstan Chhewang, Chairman LAB, Chhering Dorjey Lakrook, former Minister in erstwhile J&K State, Nawang Rigzin Jora, Congress president for Ladakh, Ashraf are Barchapa, president, Anjuman-e-Imamia Leh, Dr Abdul Qayum, president, Anjuman Moin-ul-Uslam, Leh, Tsering Wangdus, president, All Ladakh Gonpa Association and Padma Stanzin, chief coordinator, Ladakh Environment & Education Action Forum.
The KDA was represented by Asgar Ali Karbalai, working president Congress for Ladakh, Qamar Ali Akhoon, general secretary NC, Sajjad Hussain Kargili, representatives, Islamia School Kargil, Sheikh Bashir Shakir, representative IKMT, Skarma Dadul, president LBA Kargil, Mubarak Shah Naqvi, representative, Ahle Sunnat Wal Jamaat, Kargil and Syed Ahmed Rizvi, representative, Anjuman-e-Saheb Zaman.
A PIB statement said: Union MoS Home Nityanand Rai emphasized that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and guidance of Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Amit Shah, the Ministry of Home Affairs is committed to fast-track the development and meet aspirations of the people of Ladakh.
He added that significant progress has been achieved after the formation of the Union territory in 2019. Due to this historic step of the formation of the Union Territory, governance and thereby developments have been brought closer to the people of Ladakh. He said that a number of initiatives like increasing the budgetary allocation for the UT, increasing funds provided to the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils, ensuring all-round connectivity, developing infrastructures like mobile networks, roads, construction of new helipads, etc. have been undertaken at a much faster pace.
Rai said that the Government would continue to engage with the LAB and KDA and people of Ladakh for holistic and sustainable development of the UT of Ladakh on regular basis.
LAB and KDA welcomed the decision of MHA for modifying the Terms of References and also inclusion of new members. They submitted various issues pertaining to protection of rights of Ladakh residents, fast track recruitment processes, strengthening of LAHDCs and greater participation in the decision making etc, the statement said.
Ministry of Home Affairs has constituted High Powered Committee (HPC) for Ladakh under the chairmanship of Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai, with a mandate to discuss measures to protect the Ladakh region’s unique culture and language taking into consideration its geographical location and its strategic importance to ensure protection of land and employment, measures for inclusive development and employment generation in the region, measures related to empowerment of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDCs) of Leh and Kargil and Constitutional safeguards that could be provided to ensure the measures and protection as mentioned above.
Meanwhile, BJP MP from Ladakh Jamyang Tsering Namgayal submitted a memorandum to Nityanand Rai at the meeting in which he advocated necessity for Constitutional Safeguards exceeding the provisions laid down in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, specifically tailored to safeguard interests and aspirations of the tribal people of Ladakh.
“Creation of Ladakh Administrative Services (LAS) and Ladakh Police Services (LPS) is crucial for the region’s growth after attaining the UT status. To support this, it’s essential to establish a dedicated cadre from Ladakh within the AGMUT setup, preserving local representation. This will ensure Ladakh’s distinct identity in decision-making processes,’’ Namgayal said.
He said during four-year tenure since the inception of the UT of Ladakh, direct recruitment to Gazetted vacancies within the administration of Ladakh is yet to commence. In accordance with fervent aspirations of the Ladakh community, a prompt and decision action on this matter is earnestly requested, he added.
The Ladakh MP supported the demand for administrative districts at Zanskar and Nubra followed by sub divisions, blocks and tehsils for efficient governance and access to essential services.
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