Centre’s Ladakh proposal: No statehood or legislature, but new model needing Parliament’s vote

India's government has introduced a proposal to establish an elected body for the Union Territory of Ladakh. The proposed Chapter K under Article 371 of the Constitution would grant the body legislative powers over subjects like environment, land, culture, and language, which are currently under the purview of the UT. The idea was discussed during a meeting in Delhi attended by civil society members representing Ladakh.

However, the civil society groups expressed dissatisfaction with the meeting's proceedings, as the government reportedly failed to deliver a draft of the proposal. They had attended several earlier meetings, with the Ladakh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) striving for statehood and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh.

The Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution offers safeguards for tribal lands, local employment, and the environment in the Himalayan region. Since 2019, when Ladakh lost its special status under Article 370 and became a Union Territory directly governed by the central government, civil society groups have been demanding increased representation.

The LAB and KDA have been holding discussions with the government since 2019, seeking statehood and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh.