Centre considers ‘Article 371-like’ shield for Ladakh

Shah, sources said, made it clear that it would not be possible for the government to accommodate the region’s demand to be included in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. The Centre is also learnt to have turned down the request for a legislature. Unlike J&K, Ladakh is a UT without a legislature.

“The minister was sympathetic to the concerns of the people on land, jobs and culture and said these can be addressed through special provisions under Article 371. He said the government was willing to reserve up to 80% of the jobs in the region for local people,” a Ladakh leader, who was part of the discussions, said.

The representatives of the region met top officials of Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), including Home Secretary Ajay Bhalla.

Recently, Ladakh witnessed massive protests demanding statehood, legislature and inclusion in the Sixth Schedule, apart from concerns about environmental degradation due to possible industrialisation. “Right now people have no say in the administration of the region. Everything has become bureaucratic. One of the key demands of the region is public representation through a legislature. However, there is no commitment from the Centre on that,” another leader said.

Sources said while turning down the demand for a legislature, Shah assured the delegations from Leh and Kargil that the government would ensure representation and participation of the local people through hill councils.

“He said hill councils could also be given enough powers and their budget would be as good as a state’s,” one of the leaders of the delegation said.

A government-appointed high-powered committee is already looking into these demands from the region. Sources in the ministry said the government was inclined to provide protection for culture, language, land and jobs for Ladakh but not in the way that representatives seek.

Sources among the Ladakh leaders said they would continue to push for their demands through democratic means.