Leh, Sept 30: A fresh round of discussions between the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Ladakh stakeholders is likely to take place in the Union Territory during the first week of October, with the proposed UT-level elected body and its powers expected to remain at the centre of deliberations.
According to officials familiar with the developments, a team of MHA representatives forming part of the Sub-Committee is expected to travel to Ladakh for the next round of dialogue with the Leh Apex Body (LAB), Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) and representatives of the UT administration.
The meeting is likely to be held either in Leh or Kargil, marking a departure from the earlier rounds conducted in New Delhi.
LAB Prepares Response To Nine MHA Queries
LAB leadership has completed its response to nine specific questions raised by the MHA during the September 9 meeting in New Delhi.
LAB Chairman Chering Dorjay Lakruk has confirmed that the organisation is prepared to place its views before the Sub-Committee during the forthcoming meeting.
The LAB has reportedly sought assistance from legal experts while preparing its detailed response, particularly on the proposed framework, functioning and powers of the UT-level elected institution.
Focus On Legislative, Financial And Executive Powers
The proposed elected body is expected to be discussed in greater detail during the upcoming meeting, with stakeholders seeking clarity on its structure, powers, composition and functioning.
The LAB and KDA have been seeking an elected UT-level institution with legislative, financial and executive powers, along with constitutional safeguards for Ladakh.
Officials indicated that while a complete draft of the proposed institution may not be presented immediately, the forthcoming meeting could witness further progress towards defining its broad framework.
Direct Elections Proposed For UT-Level Body
During the September 9 discussions, it was agreed that members of the proposed UT-level body would be directly elected by the people of Ladakh, rather than being selected through representatives of the newly notified Autonomous Hill Development Councils.
The stakeholders were also informed that issues relating to land, culture, heritage, forests, environment and natural resources would form part of the proposed framework under Article 240.
Earlier Understanding On Constitutional Safeguards
The latest discussions follow the May 22 meeting in New Delhi, where the LAB and KDA reached an in-principle understanding with the Government of India on measures aimed at strengthening democratic and constitutional safeguards in Ladakh.
The stakeholders have been seeking safeguards broadly along the lines of provisions associated with Articles 371A, 371F and 371G, besides an elected UT-level institution with legislative, financial and executive powers.
Subsequently, the MHA held two further meetings in Leh to discuss the proposed institutional framework.
However, key details—including the name of the proposed body, total strength, constituency structure and precise distribution of powers—are yet to be finalised.
Seven Hill Councils Already Notified
Meanwhile, the Ladakh administration has notified seven District Hill Development Councils. Earlier, the UT had two Hill Councils, one each for Leh and Kargil.
The Kargil Hill Council currently has an elected body, while the term of the Leh Hill Council expired in October last year.
The administration is yet to announce the final number of seats for each of the seven councils. The seat allocation will have to be settled before delimitation of constituencies and subsequent elections can be undertaken.
With the MHA team expected to travel to Ladakh for the next round of talks, stakeholders are now looking towards the proposed October meeting for greater clarity on the structure and powers of the proposed UT-level elected institution.
