VoL Desk, Nov. 25: The Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Kargil passed a resolution for four points agenda of Ladakh consisting of key demands of Ladakh.

The resolution was moved by Executive Councillor for Tourism and Zanskar Affairs, LAHDC Kargil Er. Punchok Tashi which was seconded by Councillor, 05 – Tai Suru Constituency, LAHDC Kargil Syed Abass Razvi.

The resolution demanded for grant of Statehood for Ladakh, Protection under the 6th Schedule of the Indian Constitution, Separate Lok Sabha seats for Kargil & Leh Districts, and Establishment of “Ladakh Public Service Commission” with the Ladakh Resident Certificate as a mandatory requirement for all recruitments for Gazetted Posts in UT Ladakh.

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“After the re-organisation of the state of J&K, there has been a greater resentment among the general masses of Ladakh regarding the representation of the public in the Government. It has further given rise to apprehensions among the public with regards to safeguard of land, job, culture and ecology etc”, read the resolution.

“Further, with federalism being a very important feature of the Indian Democracy, the general public of Ladakh have great faith in the federal representative form of government and therefore there is need of providing full-fledged statehood to Ladakh UT keeping in view of its strategic importance, unique culture, population, and importance & feasibility of granting of statehood”.

Demanding protection under the 6th Schedule of the Indian Constitution, the resolution maintained, “The 6th Schedule of the Indian Constitution guarantees necessary provisions for protection of tribal areas as it has special provisions for the administration of tribal areas. Ladakh is a predominantly tribal area with its own unique socio-cultural practices. The Hon’ble Chairman, National Commission for Schedule Tribes, on 11th September 2019 during the 119th meeting of the NCST, have very kindly recommended to the Union Home Ministry & the Union Tribal Affairs Ministry to declare Ladakh as a Tribal area under the 6th Schedule of the Indian constitution.

“Further, in view of the revocation of the Article 370 & 35-A of the Constitution of India the protections provided by these articles, regarding land, culture, jobs, and ecology is no more there. And hence, it has been unanimously agreed across all strata of Ladakh that only the 6th Schedule can ensure due protection of the land, jobs, culture & ecology of Ladakh”.

“Currently, there is only one Lok Sabha seat that represents the entire population of Ladakh in the Indian Parliament. Before the re-organisation of the erstwhile state of J&K, Ladakh had public representatives in the form of four (04) MLAs & four (02) MLCs in the Legislature of the erstwhile state of J&K. However, with the re-organisation of the state, the only public representative is the sole Member of Parliament.

“Elections to the Member of Parliament often creates rift between the peaceful Ladakhi populace as it pits the people of Kargil against the people of Leh due to the sole seat of MP. Internal division and rift among the local populace of this strategic location may also prove detrimental to the national security. Communal harmony in such a sensitive region becomes of paramount importance, where India faces two warring and belligerent neighbours. Therefore, the LAHDC Kargil requests the Government of India for granting two separate seats of Lok Sabha for Ladakh region, one each for Kargil & Leh districts. Further, there must be representation of the people of Ladakh in the Rajya Sabha which must be materialised by grant of one Rajya Sabha Seat for Ladakh UT.

As there is apprehension among the public and especially youth over soaring unemployment in the newly formed Union Territory, the resolution read, “Establishment of “Ladakh Public Service Commission” with the Ladakh Resident Certificate as a mandatory requirement for all recruitments for Gazetted Posts in UT Ladakh.

“The Re-organisation Act of 2019, Part XIII, 93 (2) mandates that the UPSC shall serve the needs of the Union Territory of Ladakh. It is a known fact that the educational scenario of Ladakh is still in its infancy and, therefore, the students of Ladakh are not at par with candidates from the rest of country. Therefore, there is a great resentment among the youth that the lack of “level-playing field” would deprive them of their due opportunity.

“Furthermore, all gazetted posts of UT Ladakh must be reserved exclusively for the residents of Ladakh by making the Ladakh Resident Certificate a mandatory requirement for recruitment of all gazetted posts.

“Through this resolution, the house resolves that a request be made to the Government of India by LAHDC Kargil highlighting the aspirations of the general public of Kargil Ladakh for: 1. Grant of Statehood for Ladakh, 2. Protection for Ladakh under the 6th Schedule of the Indian Constitution, 3. Separate Lok Sabha seats for Kargil & Leh Districts, and 4. Establishment of “Ladakh Public Service Commission” with the Ladakh Resident Certificate as a mandatory requirement for all recruitments for Gazetted Posts in UT Ladakh. Pertinent to mention that the LAHDC Leh had passed a resolution in favour of protection under constitution of India but not particularly for Sixth Schedule which was also discussed in the Council but could not stand in the deliberation.