Prez issues notification for framing Recruitment Rules
Massive protests in Leh, Kargil for 4 key demands
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Nov 2: On the day the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) launched agitation in support of their four major demands in the Union Territory of Ladakh and announced that they will shortly release year-long agitational programme, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs issued a notification extending powers to the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh for regulating recruitment to public services and posts of Group ‘A’ and ‘B’ (Gazetted) cadre.
Accelerated recruitment in Ladakh is one of the four major demands of the Leh and Kargil representatives. Recruitment process will get expedited after framing of Recruitment Rules for which President of India Droupadi Murmu has conferred powers to Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Radha Krishna Mathur.
The notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs on the eve of launch of agitation jointly by the LAB and KDA said the President has directed the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh to regulate recruitment to public services and posts of Group ‘A’ and Group ‘B’ (Gazetted) under his administrative control in the Union Territory of Ladakh.
“Qualification necessary for appointment to such services and posts and the condition of service of persons appointed to such services and posts for the purposes of probation, confirmation, seniority and promotion will also be decided by the LG of Ladakh by framing rules,” the MHA order read.
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However, it said, any rule made under this direction shall be subject to previous consultations with the Union Public Services Commission.
In the case of services and posts, appointment to which requires prior approval of the Central Government, the prior approval of that Government shall also be obtained in respect of the rules, as to be made under this direction, for such services and posts.
“Nothing contained under this direction shall apply to any public services and posts borne on a cadre common to two or more Union Territories,” the Home Ministry order said.
Meanwhile, massive processions were taken out by the LAB in Leh and KDA in Kargil today.
Large numbers of people participated in the processions at both the places which passed off peacefully with no untoward incident reported from any part of the two towns. Authorities had, however, made tight security arrangements all along the routes of the processions in Leh and Kargil.
Senior LAB leader and former MP Thupstan Chhewang, who led the procession from NDS Sports complex to historical Polo Ground in Leh, told the Excelsior that coordination committee of LAB and KDA will chalk out year-long agitational schedule in support of their demands which include Statehood for Ladakh, Constitutional safeguards under 6th Schedule, two Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha seats and recruitment process for the UT.
“There has been no response from the Central Government to our demands. They haven’t formed any committee to hold talks with us,” Chhewang said.
The BJP which rules Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Leh, however, stayed away from the agitational programme in Ladakh. The BJP has distanced itself from the LAB as well as KDA on the ground that grant of Union Territory was major demand of Ladakhis which was accepted by the Central Government on August 5, 2019. The BJP is averse to the demand of Statehood but supports Constitutional safeguards.
Prominent among those who addressed the rally at Polo Ground Leh include Thupstan Chhewang, Ashraf Ali Barcha, president Anjuman Imamiya, Dr Abdul Qayum, president Anjuman Moin-Ul, Tundup Thinless, president All Ladakh Unemployed Youth Association, Padma Stanzin, president LEAF, Tsewang Norbu, Chairman, Panchayat Coordination Committee and Stanzin Chospel, Apex Body Youth Coordinator, among others.
In Kargil, the protest started from Hussaini Park and marched towards Isna Asharia Chowk and culminated at Lal Chowk Kargil.
During protest, the speakers urged the Government of India to stop delaying tactics and listen to grievances of the people of Ladakh.
The LAB and KDA leaders said today’s protests are beginning of the agitation. They vowed to continue the agitation till their demands are accepted.
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