Barring MP, Leh now has no elected representatives, Pg12

Key Highlights:

• Leh district, Ladakh, currently has no elected representatives as of October 31, following the end of the Leh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) term.
• Ladakh MP Mohammad Haneefa is now the region's sole representative.
• Talks between civil society groups (Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA)) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) are ongoing regarding Ladakh's status.
• Delay in elections is attributed to the creation of new districts, redrawing of council boundaries, and implementation of one-third women's reservation in LAHDCs.
• The Deputy Commissioner has been delegated the hill council’s functions until fresh elections are held.

Detailed Insights:

• The LAB and KDA are seeking constitutional safeguards for Ladakh, including inclusion under the Sixth Schedule and Statehood.
• The MHA has suggested considering special provisions under Article 371 for Ladakh.
• The Ladakh administration order cited the need for redrawing council areas due to the creation of new districts in 2024 and the implementation of women's reservation notified on June 3, 2025.
• A former councillor highlighted the detrimental effect of the absence of local representatives, especially for people in regions bordering China, who rely on councillors for essential services.
• The Leh hill council was allocated ₹255 crore by the MHA for 2025-26 and is empowered to make decisions on 40 functions, with each councillor having a development fund of ₹1.5 crore.
• The last election to the 30-member LAHDC, Leh was held in 2020, with the BJP winning 15 seats and the Congress nine; the LAHDC for Kargil district was constituted in 2023 and its term ends in 2028.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Sixth Schedule: Constitutional provision allowing for the formation of Autonomous District Councils to protect tribal rights.
• Article 371: Special provisions in the Constitution for various states, offering certain protections and considerations.
• LAHDC Act, 1997: Legislation establishing and governing the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils.