UT-Level Body Promised Legislative Powers; Ladakh Groups Warn Against Unilateral Changes

Srinagar | September, 09: Representatives of the Union Home Ministry on Wednesday informed the Ladakh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) that the proposed Union Territory level elected body would be vested with legislative powers over land, culture, language, forests, environment, natural resources, and other subjects reserved for the UT under Article 240 of the Constitution.
Officials said the MHA conveyed that the elected body would also enjoy budgetary, planning, and financial powers. However, the groups pointed out that the assurance stopped short of granting authority over all matters in List II and List III of the Seventh Schedule, including law and order.
According to LAB and KDA, the MHA has assured them that further talks will be held in the first week of October during which a draft Article would be discussed. Reports said the MHA is expected to seek further comments on broader issues from LAB and KDA shortly.
The handout further stated that LAB and KDA have unanimously declared that if any irreversible changes are made to Ladakh’s administrative and political setup before the UT level body is constituted, they would call upon the public to join protests against such moves. The two groups pointed out that developments such as the formation of new districts, creation of hill councils, and other major changes were being undertaken before an elected body was in place. “This constitutes a reversal of the proper sequence in which constitutional changes should be effected. If these and other irreversible changes are made before the Union Territory level body has an opportunity to legislate the proper policy, it would deprive the people of Ladakh of the chance to democratically decide the structure of government and local governance,” the handout read.