Excelsior Correspondent
LEH, Aug 7: Press Club of Leh organised a panel discussion/seminar on the theme, understanding UT to Ladakh without Legislature at Lotsava Auditorium, Cultural Academy office, here today.
Among the panellists were former MLA Nawang Rigzin Jora, former MLC Chering Dorjey, former Ambassador P. Stobdan and former president, INC, Leh Tsering Samphel.
The purpose of the panel discussion was to discuss and clear the mist created among locals over granting UT to Ladakh without Legislature. Ladakh has always been demanding UT with Legislature but having it granted by Modi Government without Legislature along with scraping of Article 370 and 35-A has left the Ladakhis with doubts and confusions specially over the land rights.
However, in common voice all the panellists welcomed the change and credited Modi, Amit Shah and BJP leaders and members for granting of UT status to Ladakh which Samphel said is a history created that will not be repeated.
Stobdan also highlighted the issues of historical and international nature, peoples’ aspirations besides political agendas as a backdrop in attaining the status of UT by Ladakh. With becoming a UT, he stressed on Ladakhis to become more serious and consciously responsible to get the correct perspective checking the ground realities with effective articulation to take the demands to logical conclusions. He asserted that it’s a big achievement that needs to be celebrated but at the same time he said that we need to be more specific, assertive and transparent in articulating our issues. He emphasised on starting with a strong clear foundation to ensure strengthening of our identity and dignity.
In absence of Legislature, Rigzin Jora spoke about 6th Schedule on Tribal areas and the need to assert for inclusion of Ladakh as UT under the 6th Schedule to retain the control over our land and other protections to the locals. He said that we have achieved our long pending demand and whatever is required to do next he assured to do in favour of Ladakhis. He said that the panel discussion is a platform for constructive debate and suggestions and stressed on need to take collective steps to substantiate the relevant points raised.
Dorjey Lakrook said that though Articles 370 and 35 A has been scraped but Hill Council will continue to exist with no change in the Council Act so far. He added that with Hill Council functioning as earlier the Government land ownership will still remain under the control of Hill Council but he cleared that the private land owners need to be more cautious of not selling their lands to outsiders for petty gains. He also assured that there will be no adverse effect of UT to the current State Government employees; rather they will enjoy the centre level pay scale and other benefits including SDA.
A question and answer session was also conducted wherein political, religious, civil society members and students in large number put various questions to the panellists to create their doubt on Ladakh getting UT without Legislature.
Trending Now
E-Paper
Follow our WhatsApp channel