The Ladakh administration on Monday announced that each of the seven districts of the union territory will have its own Autonomous Hill Development Council (AHDC), expanding the existing system of elected local self-government beyond Leh and Kargil.
Besides Leh and Kargil, the newly created Cham, Nubra, Changthang, Zanskar and Drass districts will get their own hill councils.
This announcement is seen as a major development in the Centre’s efforts to provide constitutional guarantees to the strategically important Himalayan region.
Powers over land, jobs and development
The proposed AHDC will have legislative, executive, financial and administrative powers aimed at strengthening local decision-making while protecting the interests of Ladakh.
The administration said that the proposed councils will exercise significant powers at the region level. This will include authority over land ownership and allocation, appointing and promoting district cadres, and preparing development plans. The councils will also oversee sectors such as health, education, tourism and the implementation of social welfare plans.
The seven district assemblies will be linked through a comprehensive Union Territory level institution proposed under an ad hoc framework based on Article 371 of the Constitution, the news agency reported. PTI reported, citing an official.
What is Article 371?
Article 371 of the Constitution provides special guarantees and autonomy to some states and regions to protect local interests, including cultural identity, land rights, employment opportunities and administrative arrangements.
The provisions of the Indian Constitution recognize that different regions may have unique social, cultural, economic and geographical conditions that require special constitutional protection.
Part XXI of the Constitution contains these special provisions, with provisions ranging from Articles 371A to 371J.
Over the years, different states have received special constitutional arrangements under different provisions of Article 371, tailored to suit their particular needs and historical circumstances.
“Popular rule” is the focus
Announcing the decision, Ladakh Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra described the decision as an important step towards strengthening local governance. “This is a big step towards democratic decentralization and popular governance,” Kundra said.
He pointed out that Section 3 (1) of the Ladakh Autonomous Hills Development Council (LAHDC) Act already allows for the establishment of a council in every district. He added: “Only amendments to the law, where required, and the demarcation of electoral districts remain.”
“Ladakh will have a dedicated model and it will be designed to improve people’s lives,” Kundra said.
Demand constitutional guarantees
The issue of constitutional protection for Ladakh has been at the center of political and civil society debates since the region became a union territory in 2019.
Environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk has been among the prominent voices demanding safeguards for Ladakh’s lands, functions and cultural identity. He spent nearly six months in prison following protests in the region last year that demanded, among other demands, the restoration of the state.
In May, Wangchuk expressed optimism about the Center’s consideration of constitutional guarantees for Ladakh under Article 371. At that time, representatives of the Les Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) held discussions with the Union government.
Following those talks, Wangchuk said the two sides reached a “principled understanding” on providing special constitutional protection for the region.
