SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena has notified the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (Amendment) Regulation, 2026, with effect from October 19, paving the way for the establishment of autonomous hill development councils in all eight districts of the Union Territory, including the newly created Sankoo district.
In a post on X, the Lieutenant Governor said the regulation had been implemented within six days of the Union Cabinet’s approval on October 14 and its promulgation by the President of India on October 16.
The amended regulation changes the permissible strength of each Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), reducing the earlier fixed strength of 26 seats to a range of seven to 24 seats.
It also provides for the nomination of four members from among women and unrepresented communities, with the stated aim of broadening participation in local governance.
Saxena said the amendment would strengthen grassroots democracy, improve local representation and promote inclusivity across Ladakh.
He also thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah for the regulation.
The notification marks a step towards extending the LAHDC framework to all eight districts of Ladakh under the amended provisions.
