By Tehelka Web Desk
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has proposed a customised sui generis governance model for the Union Territory of Ladakh under the provisions of Article 371, according to the minutes of a meeting agreed upon by the Centre and representatives of the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA).
The draft, which follows the fifth meeting of the Sub-committee of the High-Powered Committee (HPC) on Ladakh held on May 22, outlines a framework for strengthening democratic governance in the Union Territory while recognising that the demand for Statehood remains a long-term aspiration.
According to the minutes, the next step would be to empower Ladakh through a democratic institutional framework that provides greater political representation.
“It was unanimously decided that while Statehood would remain the long-term aspiration of Ladakh, in the present situation, as a first step, an appropriate customised model of governance by establishing a Union Territory-level elected body with executive financial and legislative powers would be established,” the draft said.
The document also records discussions on extending constitutional safeguards to Ladakh through Article 371.
“There have been instances of invoking Article 371(A to J) and it was agreed that a customised model which is most suitable for Ladakh would be adopted,” it said.
As part of the proposed framework, a draft outlining the executive, financial and legislative powers of the proposed Union Territory-level elected body will be prepared for further discussions. The elected body is also expected to function in coordination with the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).
The MHA also held a follow-up meeting in Leh where the minutes were signed by Ladakh Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra, MHA Additional Secretary Prashant S. Lokhande, Ladakh Member of Parliament Haji Haneefa, BJP leader Thupstan Chhewang, LAB president Chering Dorjay Lakrook, Kargil Chief Executive Councillor Jaffar Akhoon, KDA co-chairman Asgar Ali Karbalai and other representatives.
The ministry, for the first time, released a detailed presentation on the progress made through five rounds of dialogue with Ladakh’s civil society groups.
“The presentation also outlined the probable structure of self-governance in Ladakh. The representatives from Ladakh reiterated the demand for Statehood and Sixth schedule for Ladakh. They also reiterated the demand regarding Ladakh Administrative and Police Service and regarding withdrawal of cases of 24, September 2025 incident,” the minutes stated.
The representatives also sought greater accountability of the bureaucracy to the elected government.
“It was agreed that in terms of functions and civil servants for the subjects under the purview of the Union Territory-level elected body, the control and supervision, including appraisal, will be exercised by the elected executive body,” the draft added.
The MHA said further details of the governance model would be finalised in future meetings in accordance with the Transaction of Business Rules.
The document also noted the Centre’s support to Ladakh through dialogue, domicile-based protections, reservation policies, employment initiatives, infrastructure development, cultural recognition and administrative reforms.
Ladakh became a Union Territory after it was carved out of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019. Since then, political and civil society groups have continued to press for Statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule, citing concerns over land, jobs, language, environment and the protection of the region’s cultural identity.
