 Early Times Report
Jammu, May 26: Leaders from the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) are gearing up for a crucial meeting with the Union Ministry of Home Affairs’ High-Powered Committee (HPC) on May 27 at North Block, New Delhi. The talks aim to resolve long-standing demands, including statehood for Ladakh, inclusion under the Sixth Schedule, domicile rights, and employment opportunities for the region’s residents.
Originally scheduled for May 20, the HPC meeting was postponed as it coincided with the birth anniversary of His Eminence Kushok Bakula Rinpoche, a revered Buddhist leader, on May 19. LAB Co-chairman Chering Dorjay wrote to the MHA, requesting the meeting be rescheduled to May 23-24. However, the request was declined due to the unavailability of Union Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai, who chairs the HPC. The meeting was subsequently fixed for May 27, based on the mutual availability of committee members, according to an official MHA notice.
The LAB and KDA have urged the MHA to extend the meeting to two days to allow for comprehensive discussions. They proposed dedicating the first day to issues like domicile rights, employment, and the establishment of a Public Service Commission (PSC), while reserving the second day for their core demands: s Leaders from the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) are gearing up for a crucial meeting
The talks aim to resolve long-standing demands, including statehood for Ladakh.
The LAB and KDA have urged the MHA to extend the meeting to two days to allow for comprehensive discussions.
They proposed dedicating the first day to issues like domicile rights, etc, while reserving the second day for their core demands
The agitating groups emphasized resolving domicile rights and reservations for the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) as top priorities. They argue that settling these issues would enable the advertisement of government jobs, particularly in the gazetted cadre, which has been stalled since August 5, 2019, when Ladakh was separated from Jammu and Kashmir and declared a Union Territory. The LAB and KDA have proposed recognizing individuals residing in Ladakh since 1989 as domiciles, contrasting with the 15-year residency requirement in Jammu and Kashmir.
The last formal meeting between LAB, KDA, and the HPC took place on January 15, 2025. A planned follow-up on February 15 did not occur, with the MHA reportedly favoring backchannel discussions to build consensus on key issues before making public announcements. The upcoming meeting is seen as a critical step toward addressing the region’s demands, which have gained urgency since Ladakh’s transition to Union Territory status.
The outcome of the May 27 meeting could shape the future of Ladakh’s governance and socio-economic framework, as the region seeks greater control over its administrative and cultural identity. |
