Ladakh gets new policies on quota, domicile status, Pg1

Key Highlights:

• Centre notifies new policies for reservation, domicile, languages, and hill council composition in Ladakh.
• Context: The policies follow sustained protests and demands for constitutional safeguards and statehood post-Article 370 abrogation.
• Domicile rule: Non-Ladakhis must reside in the UT for 15 years (since Oct 31, 2019) to qualify.
• 80% of government jobs likely reserved for Scheduled Tribes (STs); additional quotas include 10% for EWS, 4% for border residents, and 1% for SCs.
• Total reservation in Ladakh now stands at 95%, among the highest in India.
• One-third of seats in hill councils reserved for women, to rotate among constituencies.
• Languages notified: English, Hindi, Urdu, Bhoti, and Purgi. Detailed Insights:
• These measures aim to protect Ladakh’s demography, land, and employment from external pressures following its 2019 transition to a Union Territory.
• High reservation is seen as a buffer against large-scale migration and economic marginalization of tribal communities.
• The domicile criteria ensure that only long-term residents can claim government employment and welfare benefits.
• Women's reservation in hill councils enhances political representation and inclusivity in the local self-governance structure.
• These reforms reflect Centre’s response to local demands but do not fulfill the larger demand for statehood and Sixth Schedule protections. Key Concepts Involved:
• Domicile Criteria: Legal requirement to establish long-term residence for eligibility in local benefits.
• Reservation Cap: Typically limited to 50% by Supreme Court rulings (e.g., Indra Sawhney), but exceptions exist in tribal areas under special conditions.
• Hill Development Councils: Autonomous local governance bodies specific to hilly regions with ethnic and administrative uniqueness. Way Forward:
• Centre can consider dialogue on Sixth Schedule inclusion or other constitutional safeguards to meet autonomy demands.
• Capacity-building programs for STs and women can enhance meaningful participation in governance.

Mains Mock Question:

Examine the constitutional and social implications of the new reservation and domicile policies in Ladakh. How do they address local concerns while raising questions about reservation limits and inclusivity?