JAMMU , Dec 1: Ahead of crucial talks with the Union Home Ministry, representatives of Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) met at LADAKH Bhawan in New Delhi this evening and expressed confidence that the Centre will resolve their issues in time-bound manner. They decided to go ahead with four-point agenda in the meeting scheduled for December 3 to be chaired by Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai.
Seven members each from LAB and KDA are expected to attend the meeting, all of whom have reached the Union capital and joined joint meeting of the twin bodies which lasted about two hours at Ladakh Bhawan, the insiders told the Excelsior.
Besides Rai, who will chair the meeting, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan and Prashant Lokhande, Joint Secretary MHA, Incharge Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh Affairs, Ladakh MP Mohammad Haneefa Jan, chairpersons-cum-CECs of Leh and Kargil Hill Development Councils Tashi Gyalson and Dr Mohammad Jaffer Akhoon and Dr Pawan Kotwal, Advisor to the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh will also attend the crucial meeting.
Representatives from LAB and KDA said they will stress on four-point agenda but admitted that it is a time consuming exercise and therefore they will press for continued dialogue and resolution of their issues in time-bound manner.
Four-point agenda include Statehood, Sixth Schedule status, dedicated Public Services Commission (PSC) and two Parliamentary seats for Ladakh.
Thupstan Chhewang, a two-time MP from Ladakh, Chering Dorjay Lakruk, former Minister in erstwhile J&K State and Nawang Rigzin Jora, UT chief of Congress are among seven members who will represent LAB at the High Powered Committee (HPC) meeting while Qamar Ali Akhoon, Haji Asgar Ali Karbalaie and Sajjad Kargili are among the seven KDA members.
An official joint statement issued by the LAB and KDA after meeting said they remain steadfast in their commitment to four critical demands of Ladakh and emphasized the need for a constructive dialogue with the MHA on December 3 with expectation that the Ministry will engage positively. They also anticipated that subsequent meetings will be scheduled promptly to ensure meaningful and timely progress on these issues.
The statement said the two bodies will advocate for Statehood to Ladakh for restoration of democracy to ensure people’s participation in governance, administrative efficiency, better governance and economic development and Sixth Schedule status for greater autonomy, cultural identities, environmental preservation and protection of tribal rights.
They will urge for the establishment of a Public Service Commission for Ladakh and expedited recruitment of Gazetted Officers to address administrative needs. They said separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil will increase Parliamentary representation from Ladakh.
There are reports 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),” a senior Ladakhi leader said earlier.
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.
