Ladakh Delegation Meets Union Home Minister, Seeks Early Redressal of Key Demands
JAMMU, May 28: A joint delegation comprising members of the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) met Union Home Minister Amit Shah in New Delhi today to discuss a range of pressing issues concerning the Union Territory of Ladakh. During the meeting, the delegation submitted a memorandum highlighting their long-standing demands and urged the Union Government to expedite action on key matters.
One of the primary concerns raised by the delegation was the immediate issuance of the recruitment notification for the Gazetted cadre posts. The representatives pointed out that this process had been delayed due to earlier uncertainties regarding the domicile criteria. However, they informed the Home Minister that the matter of domicile had been resolved during the recent meeting of the High Powered Committee (HPC) held on May 27, under the chairmanship of Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Nityanand Rai. With this hurdle cleared, the delegation appealed for swift action to initiate the recruitment process without further delay.
In addition to the recruitment issue, the delegation reiterated their broader demands, which include the grant of full Statehood to Ladakh, inclusion of the region under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to ensure protection of its unique cultural identity and land rights, the establishment of a dedicated Public Service Commission (PSC) for the Union Territory, and the allocation of two Parliamentary seats—one each for Leh and Kargil—to ensure equitable political representation.
The LAB and KDA, which represent the collective voice of both Leh and Kargil regions, emphasized the importance of addressing these demands to ensure Ladakh’s sustainable development and to uphold the aspirations of its people. They underscored that the protection of Ladakh’s demographic and cultural fabric requires constitutional safeguards and institutional mechanisms that reflect the region’s distinct socio-political context.
The meeting was described as cordial and constructive, with the Home Minister assuring the delegation that their concerns would be taken into serious consideration. The delegation expressed hope that the Government of India would soon take decisive steps toward fulfilling the commitments made to the people of Ladakh.
