Leh: President Droupadi Murmu has promulgated the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council Regulation, paving the way for hill council polls in all eight districts of Ladakh, including the newly created Sankoo district.
Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena called the decision historic, saying it was implemented in a record time of just six days and now paves the way for the creation of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDCs) in all eight districts.
Under the Centre's proposal, the L-G would be the final authority in the proposed Union Territory-level elected body in Ladakh. The draft also asks whether delimitation of constituencies for the elected body would be done by an election authority or a Delimitation Commission, and explores options including reserving one-third or up to 50 per cent of seats in the proposed body for women.
Political parties and social organisations in Ladakh have for years demanded statehood and greater local representation. The decision is seen as significant against that backdrop.
Until now, LAHDCs functioned only in Leh and Kargil districts. With such councils set to be created in the remaining districts, the administration says people's participation in local decision-making will increase.
Ladakh was given Union Territory status in 2019, after which political demands there grew. Local organisations and parties have repeatedly pressed for statehood, jobs and protection of land.
'With the new councils, local people's participation in decision-making will increase and development work will get a push,' the administration says. Some organisations have, however, flagged concerns that the proposed body's powers are limited. The Sankoo district was created recently and will also get a council.