Both bodies urge Shah to chair HPC meet in Leh
Besides paying respect to relics, HM to visit CIBS too
Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Apr 28: The Central Government has been mulling grant of legislative powers to the Hill Councils in the Union Territory of Ladakh to facilitate local representatives to make laws to some extent instead of Statehood and Sixth Schedule status as being sought by Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) since 2020.
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The LAB and KDA held a joint meeting in Leh today and made it clear that the Councils in any form, Territorial or otherwise-will not be acceptable to them and they will continue struggle for the Statehood and Sixth Schedule status.
Addressing a joint press conference after the meeting, LAB co-chairman Chering Dorjay Lakruk said they urged upon Home Minister Amit Shah to hold detailed discussions with the LAB and KDA during his visit to Ladakh for meaningful dialogue.
“Shah once said that he will chair the High Powered Committee (HPC) meeting. It’s time for him to hold the meeting,” he said, adding they are not expecting much from May 22 Sub-Committee meeting called by the Union Home Ministry as it has limited people and can’t take big decision especially on their demands for Statehood and Sixth Schedule status.
Lakruk said they have submitted their document on Statehood and Sixth Schedule status which the MHA has studied as well. “Now is the time for them to react,” he added.
The LAB co-chairman said if the MHA doesn’t agree to their demands their struggle will continue.
Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk said the Home Minister should spare two hours for meeting with them during his two-day tour of Ladakh. Otherwise, he added, it will send a wrong message.
KDA co-chairman Asgar Ali Karbalai said the Territorial Councils or the Councils in any other form are not acceptable to the LAB and KDA.
There have been reports that with total number of districts going up to seven in the Union Territory of Ladakh, the MHA is expected to come out with new format of the Councils. Presently, there are only two Autonomous Hill Development Councils of Leh and Kargil in Ladakh.
Whether there are seven Councils, two Councils or one Territorial Councils is yet to be seen, the sources said, adding a decision is expected to be taken shortly as Leh has been without an elected Council for past six months now.
As reported, Union Home Minister Amit Shah will be visiting Ladakh for two days on April 30 and May 1.
On May 1, he is scheduled to visit the Central Institute of Buddhist Studies (CIBS) to attend a function being organized by the Animal Husbandry and Cooperative Departments. He will then pay respects to sacred relics of Lord Buddha.
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