The Centre has put forth a new framework to grant Ladakh more legislative, financial, and administrative powers within the existing Union Territory setup. Civil society representatives, including members of the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), met with Union government officials and Ladakh Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra to discuss the region’s political and administrative future. The meeting, attended by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, resulted in an “in-principle understanding” with the Government of India regarding the restoration of democratic governance in Ladakh.
The LAB and KDA emphasized the need for democratic governance, constitutional safeguards, statehood, and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh during the discussions. The proposed model envisions elected representatives holding legislative, executive, and financial powers through a Union Territory-level legislative body. The framework also aims to place all Union Territory bureaucrats, including the Chief Secretary, under the authority of an elected UT-level administration led by a proposed Chief Minister.
Officials from the Ministry of Home Affairs highlighted Ladakh’s current inability to attain full statehood due to revenue constraints. However, the proposed arrangement is expected to pave the way for eventual statehood as Ladakh meets revenue benchmarks. The LAB and KDA expressed their commitment to collaborating with the Home Ministry and constitutional experts to finalize the operational and legal aspects of the proposed framework. Since 2020, both groups have advocated for constitutional safeguards, including Statehood and Sixth Schedule inclusion, to preserve Ladakh’s tribal identity and cultural heritage.
