In a significant step toward addressing the demands of the people of Ladakh, the Centre has agreed to reserve 95 per cent of all jobs for residents of this cold region while also expressing willingness to consider other demands from the Union Territory.
This agreement was reached during a meeting on Tuesday in New Delhi between representatives of the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), the Leh Apex Body (LAB), and a delegation from the Ministry of Home Affairs led by Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai.
The KDA and LAB represent various political, religious, and social groups from Kargil and Leh.
These two bodies have united to advocate for a four-point demand following Ladakh's separation from Jammu and Kashmir and its designation as a Union Territory.
Sajad Kargili, a prominent KDA leader, expressed his gratitude. “I extend my heartfelt thanks to the Government of India, especially to Hon’ble Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and MoS Home Nityanand Rai ji for their commitment to ensuring 95% job reservations for Ladakhis” he said.
Kargili also highlighted other key issues discussed, including the need for enhanced representation of women and recognition of Ladakh's linguistic diversity. “We have recommended a one-third reservation for women in the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), which is crucial for empowering women in the region,” he said
While Bhoti and Urdu are already official languages of the Union Territory, Kargili emphasised the need to include Purgi, Shina, and Balti to better reflect Ladakh's cultural and linguistic heritage.
He said that the meeting marked positive progress in the ongoing dialogue between the Centre and Ladakh’s leadership. The significance of continued engagement was underlined, with the next round of discussions scheduled for January 16.
“Today’s discussions have laid a solid foundation for addressing Ladakh’s key issues,” he stated. “The Government’s openness to our proposals gives us hope for meaningful progress in the upcoming meeting.”
With the Centre's apparent commitment to these demands, the region looks forward to tangible outcomes that address both the immediate and long-term aspirations of the Ladakhi people.
The four-point demands that the KDA and LAB have been advocating for include statehood/Sixth Schedule Status, two Lok Sabha seats—one each for Kargil and Leh—and the establishment of a separate Public Service Commission. Since Ladakh was not granted an assembly, they have also called for empowering the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) for both Kargil and Leh.
Speaking to THE WEEK, Tesring Dorjey of LAB said that the meeting was highly productive. “The Centre has agreed to continue dialogue on all our demands,” he said. “The demand for two separate Lok Sabha seats will be considered after fresh delimitation occurs across the country.”
He also indicated that a final agreement would likely include the granting of two additional Lok Sabha seats to Ladakh, which currently has only one Parliamentary seat.
Dorjey confirmed that the UPSC will hold examinations for all positions in Ladakh, with residents of Ladakh receiving 95 per cent reservation in these positions.
