Ladakh’s Demand of Sixth Schedule - IE - 12/01/23

Context:
Recently, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) constituted a high-powered committee for the Union Territory of Ladakh to “ensure protection of land and employment” for the people of Ladakh.
Relevance:
GS2
About:
->Background:
Civil society groups in Ladakh have been demanding protection of land, resources and employment for the past three years after the special status of the erstwhile State of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 of the Constitution was revoked by Parliament in 2019. The fear of big businesses and conglomerates taking away land and jobs from the local people have contributed to this demand.

->Purpose:
To discuss measures to protect the region’s unique culture and language taking into consideration its geographical location and strategic importance.
To strategize inclusive development and discuss issues related to the empowerment of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill District Councils of Leh and Kargil.

Government’s Stand:
-As far as special status for Ladakh is concerned, the government is not very eager to give it.
-According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, Ladakh’s inclusion in the Sixth Schedule would be difficult.
-According to a recent report tabled in Rajya Sabha, Ladakh administration recently increased the reservation for the Scheduled Tribes in direct recruitment from 10% to 45% which will significantly help the tribal population in their development.
-However, it remains the prerogative of the government — it can, if it so decides, bring a Bill to amend the Constitution for this purpose.

->Sixth Schedule:
Article 244: The Sixth Schedule under Article 244 provides for the formation of autonomous administrative divisions — Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) — that have some legislative, judicial, and administrative autonomy within a state.

For any queries, monthly magazines, reviews, please contact on [email protected]