The Union government has rolled out new policies aimed at enhancing governance in Ladakh. These policies include significant changes to reservation systems, domicile requirements, and the structure of hill councils. The reforms address various aspects, such as job quotas, the official languages of the Union Territory (UT), and regulations for local governance.
Following the transition of Ladakh into a Union Territory in 2019, civil society groups in Ladakh voiced their concerns regarding the need for safeguards to protect their land, employment opportunities, and cultural identity. The introduction of these policies aims to clarify domicile qualifications and respond to local demands for fair representation and job security.
The new domicile policy specifies that non-Ladakhis must have lived in Ladakh for a minimum of 15 years to be considered a domicile. This measure is designed to ensure that only long-term residents benefit from local job quotas and governance opportunities.
Under the revised regulations, 85% of government jobs in Ladakh will be reserved for resident Ladakhis. Notably, 80% of these positions will be allocated to Scheduled Tribes (STs), marking one of the highest reservation rates in India. Similar high reservation levels for STs can be observed in states like Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh.
In a progressive step towards gender equality, one-third of the seats in Ladakh's hill councils will be reserved for women. This initiative aims to promote female representation and participation in local governance.
The official languages in Ladakh have been updated to include English, Hindi, Urdu, Bhoti, and Purgi. These languages will play a critical role in government communication and administrative processes.
The introduction of these policies holds significant importance as they safeguard the rights of Ladakhis, secure employment for local residents, and promote their cultural identity. Additionally, they aim to address the concerns raised post the establishment of Ladakh as a separate Union Territory, thereby strengthening local governance and representation.
Kutos : AI Assistant!
