Ladakh's 7 councils & the decentralisation debate, Pg12

Key Highlights:

• The Ladakh administration announced the constitution of Autonomous Hill Development Councils (AHDCs) in each of the Union Territory's seven districts.
• This expands the existing two councils in Leh and Kargil, following the creation of five new districts in April.
• Civil society groups, the Apex Body, Leh (ABL) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), oppose the move, viewing it as a fragmentation of political authority.
• They argue it could weaken the proposed representative political structure they demand under Article 371 for Ladakh.
• The administration states the move aims to deepen democratic decentralisation and is complementary to a Union Territory-level representative body.

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Detailed Insights:

• The decision to establish seven AHDCs is based on Section 3 of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council Act, which provides for a council in every district.
• Ladakh's unique geography, being India's largest Union Territory by area with a sparse population, is cited by the administration as a reason for decentralised governance.
• The ABL and KDA fear that empowering multiple district councils will dilute the authority of a future representative government under Article 371.
• Civil society leaders also express concern over blurred lines of political accountability with the coexistence of multiple administrative bodies.
• There is a significant trust deficit between Ladakh's leadership and the Centre, stemming from the lack of a legislature post-2019 Union Territory status.
• Despite their statutory powers for planning, development, and budget, existing AHDCs are perceived by local leaders as having lost relevance since Ladakh became a Union Territory.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Autonomous Hill Development Councils (AHDCs): Statutory bodies in certain regions of India designed for local self-governance and development.
• Union Territory: An administrative division in India directly governed by the Central Government.
• Article 371: A part of the Indian Constitution that grants special provisions to certain states, allowing for unique administrative arrangements.
• Sixth Schedule: A constitutional provision that allows for the formation of autonomous administrative divisions within certain states, providing greater political autonomy to tribal areas.
• Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council Act: The specific legislation governing the establishment and functioning of AHDCs in Ladakh.