What’s on the agenda as Home Ministry meets Ladakh stakeholders this month?

The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is set to hold meetings with Ladakh stakeholders on October 15, according to recent reports. These discussions come a month after the previous round of talks in Delhi, and will center around proposals for an additional constitutional provision and a proposed UT-level elected body for Ladakh.

Following the last meeting, the Ladakh administration suggested a new governance structure, which would be distinct from both a state and a Union Territory (UT) with a legislature. This unique constitutional amendment requires approval from Parliament.

The MHA had also reached out to representatives from the Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) – the two groups leading the push for enhanced democratic representation in Ladakh. They sent a questionnaire on September 9, asking them to discuss the structure, composition, and makeup of a UT-level governance body with executive and financial powers.

The questionnaire covers seven crucial areas, including the body's formal name, membership, and representation; its relationship with existing Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils; and the functions that should be exercised or remain at the district level. The MHA has also sought opinions on the principles guiding power allocation between the UT-level body and district councils.

Furthermore, the MHA is seeking clarity on various concerns, such as the guiding principles for power distribution, which subjects should fall under the UT-level body's jurisdiction, ensuring alignment with the Constitution's basic structure, and whether a unique model for Ladakh would necessitate a legal opinion.

These discussions are expected to form a significant part of the October 15 deliberations between the MHA and Ladakh representatives. The KDA and ABL had previously submitted a list of "non-negotiables" to the MHA, demanding a directly elected, constitutionally empowered UT-level legislature. This demand, along with other key points, has driven the agitation for greater democratic control over Ladakh by its people over the past three years.