HIGH POWER LADAKH COMMITTEE
1. Context
The Ministry of Home Affairs constituted a high-powered committee for the Union Territory of Ladakh. The committee will discuss measures to protect the region's unique culture and language taking into consideration its geographical location and strategic importance; ensure the protection of land and employment for the people of Ladakh; strategies for inclusive development and discuss issues related to the empowerment of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill District Councils of Leh and Kargil.
2. Why was the Committee Constituted?
- Civil Society groups in Ladakh have been demanding the protection of land, resources, and employment for the past three years after the special status of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 of the Constitution was read down by Parliament in 2019.
- The fear of big businesses and conglomerates taking away land and jobs from the local people has contributed to this demand.
3. What is the Sixth Schedule?
- The Sixth Schedule under Article 244 provides for the formation of autonomous administrative divisions-Autonomous District Councils (ADCs).
- ADCs have some legislative, judicial, and administrative autonomy within a state.
- The Sixth Schedule applies to the NE states of Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram (three councils each), and Tripura (One Council).
4. Composition of Autonomous District Councils (ADCs)
- ADCs have up to 30 members with a term of five years.
- It can make laws, rules, and regulations about land, forest, water, agriculture, village councils, health, sanitation, village, and town level policing, inheritance, marriage, divorce, social customs, mining, etc.
- The Bodoland Territorial Council in Assam is an exception with more than 40 members and the right to make laws on 39 issues.
5. Why does Ladakh want to be the part of Sixth Schedule?
Tribal populations
According to the 2011 census, the tribal population in the UT of Ladakh is 79.61% of the total population.
Local aspirations
There was much enthusiasm initially, mostly in Leh, after the repeal of Article 370 which created two new UTs.
Negligence in erstwhile J&K state
Buddhist-dominated Leh district had long demanded UT status because it felt neglected by the erstwhile state government.
Denial of Legislature
The enthusiasm waned as it was understood that while the UT of J&K would have a legislature, the UT of Ladakh would not.
Inadequate representation
The administration of the region is now completely in the hands of bureaucrats with only 1 MP.
New domicile criteria
The changed domicile policy in Jammu and Kashmir has raised fears in the region about its land, employment, demography, and cultural identity.
Statehood demands
A coalition of social, religious, and political representation in Leh and Kargil has demanded full statehood for Ladakh.
6. Can Ladakh be included in the Sixth Schedule?
NCST Recommends: In September 2019, the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes recommended the inclusion of Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule.
Distinct Culture: It was predominantly tribal (more than 97%), people from the other parts of the country had been restricted from purchasing or acquiring land there, and its distinct cultural heritage needed preservation.
7. What is the Government's stand?
- Not keen to give any special status to Ladakh, the MHA informed a parliamentary standing committee recently that the objective for inclusion of the tribal population under the sixth schedule is to ensure their overall social-economic development, which the UT administration has already been taking care of and that sufficient funds are being provided to Ladakh to meet its overall development requirements.
- A report tabled in Rajya Sabha on December 13, 2022, quoted MHA officials, that the Ladakh administration recently increased the reservation for the Scheduled Tribes in direct recruitment from 10% to 45% which will significantly help the tribal population in their development.
For Prelims & Mains
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For Prelims: Sixth schedule, Autonomous District Councils (ADCs), Article 370 of the Constitution, Article 244, and Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
For Mains: 1. The Sixth Schedule under Article 244 provides for the formation of autonomous administrative divisions-Autonomous District Councils (ADCs). Discuss with examples.
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Source: The Hindu
