MHA constituted Sub-Committee on Ladakh to meet in Delhi on January 15

Kargil, Jan 10: A Sub Committee constituted by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Ladakh issues will meet in New Delhi on January 15.

The Sub Committee meeting is scheduled at 11.30 AM in the North Block. MHA has formally extended invitation to representatives of Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) who are part of the cabinet sub- committee besides other stakeholders.

The crucial meeting will be chaired by Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai, who is also the chairman of the high powered committee (HPC). The meeting will be attended by top officials of the Union Home Ministry including Home Secretary Govind Mohan and Joint Secretary Incharge Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh. The Sub Committee members who will join the meeting include Thupstan Chhewang, Chering Dorjay Lakruk and Nawang Rigzin Jora (LAB); and Qamar Ali Akhoon, Asgar Ali Karbalai and Sajjad Kargili (KDA). Lok Sabha member from Ladakh Haneefa Jan, Chairpersons-cum-CECs of Hill Councils for Leh and Kargil and Advisor to Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Pawan Kotwal are also likely to attend the meeting.

“Received an invitation from MHA for the next meeting of Apex Body Leh and Kargil Democratic Alliance sub- committee scheduled on January 15. I am hopeful for a constructive discussion that will lead to positive and fruitful outcomes in the best interest of the people of Ladakh” KDA member Sajjad Kargili said. “Remember that people of Ladakh are demanding statehood, Sixth Schedule, Employment, PSC and representation. We hope the upcoming meeting with the Ministry of Home Affairs on January 15 will yield positive outcomes for Ladakh,” he added. Sources told Greater Kashmir that both the bodies (LAB and KDA) will hold joint meeting in New Delhi on January 14 ahead of talks with the Union Home Ministry to finalise the issues to be taken up by them at the meeting.

Last meeting of High Powered Committee was held on December 3, 2024 which remained inconclusive but it was decided that local people of Ladakh will get 95 percent quota in all gazetted cadre posts of Ladakh. However, the agency which will fill the posts is yet to be finalised. Four point-agenda of LAB and KDA on which they have been agitating for quite a long time include Statehood, Sixth Schedule status, dedicated Public Services Commission (PSC) and two Parliamentary seats for Ladakh.