Excelsior Correspondent
LEH, Jan 22: Demanding statehood and 6th Schedule for Ladakh, the Apex Body of Leh and Kargil Democratic Alliance has submitted a detailed draft to the Ministry of Home Affairs.
This was informed by Chering Dorjey, Co-Chairman of the Apex Body while addressing a press conference, here today.
The draft explains that keeping in view history, strategic importance, environmental significance; similarity with other States in the North East and various other parameters, Ladakh deserves to be granted statehood.
“Doing so will not only enhance the political representation and empower the locals, but it will also help the locals manifest their aspirations within the democratic framework and also foster a sense of belonging and participation in the nation-building process,” claimed Chering Dorjey.
Stating that Ladakh is a Tribal majority area with a fragile environment, he said that bringing Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule will not only guarantee special protections for land rights of the Scheduled Tribes of Ladakh but it will also help them make their laws as per the unique requirements of the region.
The Apex Body has also demanded Public Service Commission for Ladakh as the Reorganization Act of Jammu and Kashmir provides for the same for the Union Territory of J&K but the similar provisions were not extended to Ladakh due to which the opportunities for the gazetted posts for the students of Ladakh have become limited.
“There is a need for the formation of the Ladakh Public Service Commission for the gazetted jobs and protection of the non-gazetted jobs and this can be done by having robust institutions in place,” said Mr Dorjey, adding that the Apex Body has also stressed that there is a need to enhance the current one seat of the Member of Parliament for Ladakh besides creation of Rajya Sabha seat for Ladakh when a Legislative Assembly is granted.
Chering Dorjey said that the detailed draft for accommodating these demands has been submitted to the Ministry and they were optimistic for the early fulfillment of these demands of Ladakh people.
It may be recalled that during a meeting with the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai on the 4th of December 2023, he had asked the Apex Body to prepare a draft of the demands and submit it to the Ministry to take the talks forward.
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