SRINAGAR: The dispute over the omission of a key provision from the draft minutes of the May 22 meeting between the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) and Ladakh stakeholders appears to be moving towards resolution, with the Centre reportedly preparing a detailed governance framework for Ladakh and seeking suggestions from the Leh Apex Body (LAB).
According to LAB leaders, representatives of the Home Ministry have informed them that officials are drafting a comprehensive proposal outlining the future political and administrative structure of the Union Territory. The document is expected to be based on the broad understanding reached during the May 22 meeting in New Delhi, where discussions focused on establishing a Union Territory-level legislative institution with legislative, executive and financial powers, alongside seven empowered District Councils.
LAB Co-Chairman Chering Dorjay Lakrook said the MHA has also requested the Apex Body to submit its own recommendations on the proposed UT-level institution, including its structure, powers and official designation. He stated that the process has already commenced with legal assistance from Supreme Court advocate Vikram Hegde and his team.
Lakrook said that once the Home Ministry shares its draft proposal, a joint meeting of the Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance will be convened to review both documents and formulate a common response. He stressed that the two organisations remain united and any decision concerning Ladakh’s future political structure will be taken through consensus.
Sources indicated that the LAB is now likely to wait for the Centre’s formal proposal instead of continuing its demand for inclusion of the disputed clause in the draft minutes of the May 22 meeting. The clause reportedly dealt with the powers of the head of the proposed UT-level legislative body over the Chief Secretary, an issue that LAB leaders claim was discussed during negotiations but omitted from the draft record.
The omission had triggered strong objections from the Apex Body, which refused to sign the minutes and urged the Union Government to honour the understanding reached during the talks. LAB leaders had earlier warned that failure to uphold the agreed framework could lead to an agitation.
However, with the Home Ministry now working on a detailed governance blueprint and seeking stakeholder feedback, the Apex Body has decided to await the official document before taking any further course of action.
Under the framework discussed during the May 22 meeting, Ladakh is expected to receive a UT-level legislative institution vested with legislative, executive and financial authority. The proposal also envisages seven District Councils with substantial powers and administrative accountability of senior officers, including the Chief Secretary, to the elected UT-level body.
Ladakh currently comprises seven districts. While Leh and Kargil were the original districts, the Union Government announced the creation of five additional districts in August 2024. These new districts became operational in April this year ahead of the visit of Union Home Minister Amit Shah to the Union Territory.
At present, only the Hill Development Council in Kargil is functioning. The term of the Leh Autonomous Hill Development Council ended in October 2025, and fresh elections have not been held due to administrative reorganisation following the creation of the new districts.(KNC)
