JAMMU, Nov 23: Ahead of crucial talks between representatives of Ladakh and Union Ministrys of Home Affairs, an agreement on the Public Service Commission (PSC) for recruitment to the posts of Gazetted Officers (GOs) which has been pending for last over five years, appears to be on the cards with the UT leaders ready to accept Jammu and Kashmir PSC but categorically ruled out the option of DANIAS.
The talks are scheduled to take place in New Delhi on December 3.
Leaders from Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) are expected to reach New Delhi on December 1 where they will hold joint sitting and discuss the scheduled talks though the two bodies remained stick to their four-point including Statehood, Sixth Schedule, dedicated PSC and two Parliamentary seats for Ladakh.
Some of the senior leaders of Ladakh have got feelers that the issues which can be resolved easily should be discussed first and the PSC is one among them. As far as two Parliamentary seats are concerned, the Ladakh leaders have been told that this is not possible till 2026 and can be taken up whenever the new Delimitation Commission is set up.
Official sources told the Excelsior that an agreement on the PSC is on the cards as both sides appeared determined to resolve the issue on the ground that youth are suffering in the absence of the Commission with no recruitment for Gazetted Officers taking place since Ladakh became the Union Territory on August 5, 2019.
“We have been demanding dedicated PSC for Ladakh but Jammu and Kashmir PSC will also be acceptable to us. However, we have decided not to accept the proposal of Ladakh becoming part of DANIAS (Delhi, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Lakshadweep, Dadra & Nagar Haveli, Daman & Diu Civil Services),” LAB co-Chairman Chering Dorjay Lakruk told the Excelsior.
There has been no recruitment of Gazetted Officers in Ladakh since it became the UT more than five years ago in absence of the PSC. During this period, many youth have turned over-age. The Apex Body and KDA will be seeking age relaxation for the youth after issue of the PSC is resolved.
However, the LAB and KDA leaders said the issues of Statehood and Sixth Schedule status remain their prime demands and will be taken up forcefully by their leadership at December 3 meeting.
“The Ministry of Home Affairs is yet to come up with agenda for the meeting. There is a possibility that the Ministry will circulate agenda during the meeting,” the sources said.
Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai will chair the meeting while top officers of the MHA including the Home Secretary will attend.
Three members each from Leh and Kargil districts are expected to attend the talks including Thupstan Chhewang, a two-time MP from Ladakh, Chering Dorjay Lakruk and Nawang Rigzin Jora (all from Leh); Qamar Ali Akhoon, Asgar Karbalaie and Sajjad Kargili (all from Kargil).
Chhewang and Lakruk are chairman and co-chairman Leh Apex Body (LAB) while Jora is Congress chief for the Union Territory. Akhoon representing National Conference and Karbalaie hailing from the Congress are co-chairpersons of Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA). Sajjad Kargili is a prominent political leader and activist.
CECs-cum Chairpersons of Leh and Kargil Autonomous Hill Development Councils including Tashi Gyalson and Dr Zaffar Akhoon, Ladakh MP Haji Hanifa Jan and Advisor to Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Dr Pawan Kotwal are also being called to the meeting, the sources said, adding that top officials of the MHA including the Home Secretary, the Joint Secretary Incharge jammu , Kashmir and Ladakh and others will also join.
