The Ladakh administration’s plan to form Autonomous Hill Development Councils in each of the Union Territory’s seven districts is expected to draw strong resistance from civil society organisations. Both the Apex Body, Leh and the Kargil Democratic Alliance claim the move seeks to reduce the authority of the proposed representative body under Article 371.
On Monday the administration announced that new councils would be set up in the five recently created districts of Drass, Sham, Nubra, Changthang and Zanskar. Similar bodies already operate in Leh and Kargil.
Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra stated that the decision responds to long-standing local requests and will improve democratic decentralisation and local governance.
Kundra added that recent talks between Ladakh representatives and the Centre produced broad agreement on creating a Union Territory-level body under a tailored Article 371 framework, incorporating useful elements from other states.
The proposed body is expected to hold legislative, executive, financial and administrative powers, with details still under review.
Leaders seeking constitutional safeguards argue that seven separate councils would weaken rather than strengthen representative government. They contend Ladakh’s small population does not require such extensive decentralisation.
The Kargil Democratic Alliance raised concerns about the timing and lack of consultation, describing the step as unilateral and unlikely to improve administration given the limited powers of existing councils.
The announcement revives a proposal discussed during earlier negotiations. Sources said both groups objected to district-level councils in a May meeting with Ministry of Home Affairs officials, leading to the point being removed from the final minutes.
The disagreement occurs amid ongoing talks over Ladakh’s status since becoming a Union Territory in 2019. The groups continue to seek safeguards including statehood or an Article 371 framework, land and job protections, and greater political representation.
