Amid protests, Ladakh Lt Governor asks panel to submit report on new districts

In response to ongoing protests by activists in Ladakh demanding statehood and implementation of the Sixth Schedule, Lt Governor Brig BD Mishra (retd) has instructed a five-member committee to expedite its report on the creation of five new districts. The panel, formed to address administrative concerns and development disparities, held its first meeting after discussions with the L-G.

The committee, tasked with carving out five new districts — Sham, Nubra, Changthang, Zanskar, and Drass — was asked to submit its findings within the stipulated time period. This follows the Ministry of Home Affairs’ (MHA) August announcement regarding the creation of these districts to address long-standing grievances, particularly from remote areas of Ladakh.

The MHA had highlighted that Ladakh, currently divided into two districts (Leh and Kargil), faces challenges due to its vast, sparsely populated, and difficult-to-access terrain. The formation of the new districts is expected to streamline governance and ensure the implementation of welfare schemes across Ladakh.

The panel’s tasks include recommending district boundaries, headquarters, administrative structures, and the creation of new posts. The final proposal will be submitted to the MHA after the committee’s three-month deadline.

The panel, chaired by Pramod Kumar Jain (retd IAS), also includes former IAS officers Kacho Asfandyar Khan and Tsering Angchok, along with the deputy commissioners of Kargil and Leh as ex-officio members. The committee plans to visit Zanskar on October 7 and 8 for public consultations.

The protests in Ladakh over demands for Sixth Schedule protections and statehood are expected to continue, with the MHA planning further discussions with local activists in the coming weeks.