New Delhi: In a significant breakthrough, representatives of the Center and Ladakh on Friday agreed to the creation of an elected body “with full legislative, executive and financial powers” at the UT level, besides having similar bodies in each of the seven districts.The two sides – who resumed talks after a gap of more than three months, also joined by environmentalist and activist Sonam Wangchuk, who was released in March after six months of detention under the NSA – reached an understanding on providing constitutional protection to Ladakh in matters like land, jobs and culture etc. under Article 371, which is applicable to states like Nagaland, Sikkim and Mizoram.A government official said, although this arrangement does not meet the central demands of Ladakh bodies like statehood, Sixth Schedule status and UT with legislature, it accommodates their essence and spirit. The proposed elected body at the UT level will have all UT bureaucrats, including the Chief Secretary, reporting to its executive head. Additionally, constitutional safeguards are being provided to Ladakh, though not under the Sixth Schedule but under Articles 371 A, F and G – relating to protecting territorial customs, indigenous cultures and land rights and ensuring equitable economic development.A press note issued by the Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance after talks with Home Ministry representatives here said the Home Ministry has clarified that Ladakh cannot be granted statehood “for the time being” as it “currently lacks adequate revenue generation to meet the revenue expenditure such as salaries of employees.” However, it added that “this setup will lead Ladakh towards full statehood once it meets the revenue criteria”.

The Ladakh civic bodies said the executive head of the UT-level elected body, who is “proposed to be made the Chief Minister”, will have control over all bureaucrats in the UT. Two autonomous councils in Ladakh will also give way to elected bodies “with full legislative powers” in all seven districts, a source said.Home Ministry to consult experts on Ladakh Union Territory body Government sources said there was a broad agreement on the creation of UT- and district-level bodies with full legislative powers, adding that their operational details, including structure, composition and legislative framework, would be decided by the MHA and Ladakh bodies in consultation with legal and constitutional experts. LAB and KDA have been agitating for a long time demanding statehood, Sixth Schedule status, constitutional protection and increased parliamentary representation for Ladakh.