Ready to operationalize distts, restore budgetary cut
*CEC Kargil, MP meet Shah; seek two more districts
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Mar 19: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is ready to formally operationalize new districts announced for Ladakh and restore cut in budgetary expenditure but it wants the twin bodies—Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), which are spearheading agitation for Statehood and Sixth Schedule status, to shun rigidity on the negotiation table.
Follow the Daily Excelsior channel on WhatsApp
Sources told the Excelsior that the MHA is ready to discuss and consider all demands highlighted from time to time by the representatives of Ladakh pertaining to formal creation of new districts, restoration of budgetary expenditure cut, development etc but, at the same time, wants the LAB and KDA to consider other options on Statehood and Sixth Schedule status to the UT, which is acceptable to both sides (Centre and Ladakh bodies).
The Central Government is of the view that UT was main demand of the people of Ladakh and it was conceded on August 5, 2019. Further, five new districts were announced for Ladakh though it had only two districts taking total numbers to seven in August 2024. The funding for development is also liberal and few cuts which have been imposed during budgetary allocation for 2026-27 are also expected to be restored in due course of time, the sources said.
Though the Central Government hasn’t rejected any of the two major demands raised by LAB and KDA including Statehood and Sixth Schedule status, it has almost made it clear that it was opposed to Statehood but was ready to give safeguards to Ladakh in some other forms, which is agreed upon during the High Powered Committee (HPC) talks whenever they are held.
Last meeting of the HPC was held on February 4 and there was no breakthrough on any of the twin issues.
However, at present, the LAB and KDA appear to be in no mood to dilute their stand saying they stick to Statehood and Sixth Schedule status and have justified them through a comprehensive document submitted to the Union Home Ministry in November last year.
The MHA had on August 26, 2024, announced five new districts for Ladakh including Sham Nubra and Changthang in Leh; and Zanskar and Drass in Kargil. Presently, Leh and Kargil are only two districts in the UT while five districts are yet to be operationalized.
Meanwhile, a high-level delegation from the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, (LAHDC) Kargil, led by Chairman and Chief Executive Councillor Dr Mohd Jaffer Akhoon and Member of Parliament Mohammad Haneefa Jan, called on Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi today.
The delegation, which also included Executive Councillor Zakir Hussain, submitted a memorandum seeking the operationalisation of civil flights from Kargil.
The LAHDC leaders requested an extension of the existing runway and establish a full-fledged civil airport to ensure connectivity, especially during the winter months when surface routes remain closed.
Pressing for district status for Sankoo and Shakar-Chiktan subdivisions, the delegation noted that these “subdivisions are among the most populous and oldest in Kargil district, fulfill all necessary criteria”. They called for their inclusion in the forthcoming official notification along with other newly announced districts in Ladakh.
A statement issued after the meeting by the LAHDC Kargil said the leaders also sought restoration of administrative approval and expenditure sanction powers up to Rs 5 crore for the Deputy Commissioner and CEO of LAHDC Kargil to ensure the timely execution of developmental works at the district level.
In the health and education sectors, the delegation sought sanction of a 200-bedded hospital for Kargil, citing the inadequate infrastructure and increasing patient load at the existing 100-bedded facility.
Further, Dr Akhoon urged for early execution and operationalisation of the already sanctioned Engineering College in Kargil and called for the establishment of an Agricultural University to strengthen higher education and support the agrarian economy of the region, the council said in its statement.
The memorandum also sought a Women’s Degree College at Sankoo to facilitate access to higher education for girls and eliminate the hardships they face in pursuing education outside the district.
Akhoon also raised the issue of five already approved Hydro Electric Projects and requested the home minister to issue necessary instructions to the concerned ministries for their early execution and completion.
Highlighting the growing exports of apricots and apples to national and international markets, the delegation sought Home Minister Amit Shah’s intervention to secure a special financial package for the tourism, agriculture, and horticulture sectors, along with the creation of a dedicated Indian Reserve Battalion (IRB) for the region.
The post Centre wants LAB, KDA to shun rigidity on Statehood, Sixth Schedule for Ladakh appeared first on Daily Excelsior.