SRINAGAR: In a major administrative decision, Ladakh Lt Governor V K Saxena has approved the creation of 17 new Tehsils for the operationalisation of five newly created districts in the UT.
The number of Teshils in Ladakh has now risen from 15 to 32.
The new Tehsils have been created based on the recommendations of a UT-Level Committee constituted by the LG, following the notification for new districts on April 27 this year.
The Committee observed serious lacunae in the existing administrative units, including Tehsils and Revenue Villages -- they were not clearly demarcated.
The Committee found that the boundaries of several Tehsils extended across more than one district, resulting in administrative overlap and operational challenges.
To address these issues, every Revenue Village has now been mapped to a single Tehsil and every Tehsil has been mapped to a single district, thereby creating a transparent, logical and efficient administrative structure.
Notably, it is ensured that no changes are made to the territorial boundaries of any districts.
The LG Saxena has directed the Chief Secretary to immediately appoint Tehsildars in the new Tehsils, with one officer being assigned independent charge of a Tehsil, in order to increase administrative efficiency.
Ladakh, one of India’s largest Union Territories in terms of geographical area, has long faced administrative challenges due to its difficult terrain, sparse population, and remote habitations.
"The creation of 17 new Tehsils will significantly reduce travel distances for citizens (often exceeding 300 km) for availing government services, and ensure faster and more effective delivery of public services," the official spokesman said.
Following the reorganisation, Leh district will comprise 5 Tehsils; Kargil 7 Tehsils; Changthang 4 Tehsils; Nubra 6 Tehsils; Zanskar 4 Tehsils; Sham 5 Tehsils; and Drass district will have one Tehsil.
"The creation of new districts was done to bring governance closer to people and make administration more accessible, responsive and citizen-centric. With the operationalisation of districts through a comprehensive reorganisation of Tehsils and Revenue Villages, we are establishing a robust administrative framework that will significantly improve revenue administration, strengthen grassroots governance and ensure faster implementation of developmental programmes," the LG said.
"Our objective is to ensure that every citizen, particularly those living in remote and border areas, has easier access to government services while enabling balanced, inclusive and sustainable development across Ladakh," the LG highlighted.
The restructuring has been undertaken under Section 5 of the Jammu & Kashmir Land Revenue Act, 1996, as applicable to the Union Territory of Ladakh, through the Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, which empowers the administration to alter the limits and number of Tehsils through notifications.