Source: Indian Express
Context
The Ministry of Home Affairs proposed inserting a new constitutional provision — Article 371(K), as Chapter K under Part XXI — to establish a directly elected governing body with legislative powers for the Union Territory of Ladakh.
What It Is
- A proposed amendment under Part XXI — Temporary, Transitional and Special Provisions
- Creating a sui generis (unique) governance model for Ladakh
- Providing a directly elected UT-level governing body with legislative authority over specified subjects
Background
- Under the J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019, Ladakh was carved out as a Union Territory without a legislative assembly
- Governance became led largely by bureaucrats and the Lieutenant Governor rather than elected representatives
- The existing Autonomous Hill Development Councils — LAHDC Leh and LAHDC Kargil — were sidelined
- The Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) joined forces, demanding full statehood, Sixth Schedule protection, dedicated public service commissions and parliamentary representation
Aim
- Restore democratic governance in Ladakh
- Protect tribal rights, land and ecology
- Address political alienation — without granting statehood or Sixth Schedule status
