Dr Ganesh Malhotra
Ladakh is located at a distance of over 400 kilometres from J&K’s summer capital Srinagar which is almost an “impractical” set up for the region. Moreover, this region is totally cut off by road connectivity for atleast 7 months in a year. Ladakh has to constantly fight for resources from Kashmir. For example the Centre approved Rs 50 crore for Pashmina Development last year, but they have yet to see those funds. The region has remained backward in terms of education, development and in all other fields. The problems of the region have never been addressed till date with the present set up. There is no permanent power supply in the whole region, no medical college or special medical facilities, no higher educational facilities like any university or institution of higher learning etc etc.
The demand of divisional status to the Ladakh is being raised by the elected representatives of the people from Leh and Kargil districts during the past several years in order to redress the administration related grievances in a time bound manner. However, the demand was not seriously considered at any forum as a result of which disenchantment was growing among the people of both the districts.
This demand gained momentum after the Member of Parliament from the region Thupstan Chhewang resigned and attributed his decision to non-serious approach of the State and Central Governments towards the issues facing the populace of cold desert region. Few days back, the General House of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Leh unanimously passed a resolution demanding divisional status to Ladakh region besides raising other burning issues. Keeping in the demand and the sufferings of the people of cold desert region, the Governor’s Administration is contemplating to accord divisional status to Ladakh. With this grant of administrative division status, there will be a separate Divisional Commissioner for Ladakh region besides separate Directorates and heads of around 40 departments and people of Leh and Kargil will not have to travel to Srinagar for getting routine issues resolved.
Those political parties who are responsible for the backwardness of Ladakh and who have represented this region started opposing this demand on one ground or the other. These parties started demand for execution of their old Greater Kashmir plan. They started reciprocating the demand of division status to Ladakh with demand for similar status to Rajouri-Poonch and erstwhile Doda district on the grounds of under development. The Rajouri-Poonch region and erstwhile Doda district are well connected regions of Jammu division. These regions are socially, culturally, economically and politically well connected with other regions of Jammu division. These regions have good connectivity as well social and cultural linkages with other districts of Jammu regions. The infrastructural, educational and other facilities in these regions are also satisfactory. The question of underdevelopment further raises question on the working of those who represented these districts over the years. These groups right from 1947 have tried to meddle in the affairs of Jammu and tried to import their separatist idea in this region but people of Jammu region have always given them a befitting reply.
In reality, there are many regions in Kashmir valley which are far away from capital city as well as still backward and untouched by development like Gurez, Karnah, Keran etc. They need separate attention. They need developmental focus by such Valley based leadership.
Some parties find the solution in autonomy and regional autonomy which actually is more concerned about creating an isolated domain within Indian union. Common masses have already suffered because of autonomy which J&K enjoys and which is far more than any State in India. This autonomy has been continuously used to benefit the political elites. For masses decentralization and taking the democracy to grass root level under Indian Constitution is the only solution. In 21st Century when whole country is getting benefit of 73rd Amendment Act for empowerment of Panchayats J&K has been deliberately deprived of this decentralization of powers. In J&K Panchayats are governed by J&K Panchayat Act 1989 in which Panchayats are at the sweet will of State Government. Those who are today raising the issue of underdevelopment are responsible for non implementation of 73rd Amendment Act in J&K. When village panchayats are empowered with all administrative and financial powers it will usher a new era of empowerment at grass root leading to full blossom of democracy. But these political elites have always used so called special status of J&K for their benefit not for the benefit of the masses. They have always believed in creation of divisions among people on regional and sub regional basis. Although Governor administration have declared to give more financial and administrative powers to village Panchayats but there is need for making permanent legislative changes to implement it in letter and spirit.
The special conditions of Ladakh for administrative division status cannot be used as a tool by divisive forces to create divisions in Jammu region. Jammu in united spirit has given befitting reply to such forces in past and will do the same in future also.
(The author is J&K based strategic and political analyst)
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