Joint sub-committee formed to address Ladakh’s demands

Leh, Feb 22: A joint sub-committee has been constituted to address the pressing demands of the Union Territory (UT) of Ladakh, including statehood and Sixth Schedule status.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has nominated members to the committee, alongside representatives from the Ladakh administration and local apex bodies.
Dr. Pawan Kotwal, Advisor to the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, will represent the UT administration in the sub-committee. Additionally, the MHA has appointed two officials, including one as the member secretary, to oversee the proceedings.
The sub-committee, formed during a recent High Powered Committee meeting chaired by Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai, includes three representatives each from the Apex Body Leh (ABL) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA).
Scheduled to convene on Saturday in New Delhi, the sub-committee’s primary mandate is to examine demands such as statehood, Sixth Schedule status, and the establishment of a Public Service Commission for Ladakh.
This development follows discussions held on February 19, where Ladakhi leaders proposed the formation of a joint sub-committee to delve into the specifics of the demands. The proposal, which gained traction during talks with the HPC for Ladakh, led to the deferment of a hunger strike planned by ABL and KDA.
Former MP Thupstan Chhewang and Asghar Ali Karbalai, representing ABL, jointly announced the postponement following talks with the HPC. The decision underscores a commitment to dialogue and a willingness to engage in the democratic process to address Ladakh’s aspirations.
The joint communiqué issued by ABL and KDA sets February 24 as the date for detailed discussions on the demands, signaling a concerted effort to find constructive solutions.