NEW DELHI: The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has convened the next meeting of the Sub-Committee on issues concerning Ladakh in New Delhi on September 9 and asked the Ladakh administration to inform all members about the meeting.
The meeting follows two Sub-Committee meetings held in Leh on July 3 and August 19. Representatives of the MHA, senior Ladakh administration officials, and members of the Ladakh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) attended those meetings.
Sources said senior officials of the Ladakh administration, three representatives each from the LAB and KDA, Ladakh MP Mohd Hanifa Jan, former MP Thupstan Chhewang, Kargil Hill Council Chairman Mohd Jaffar Akhoon and former Leh Hill Council chief Tashi Gyalson are likely to attend the September 9 meeting.
Meanwhile, the LAB has convened an emergency meeting in Leh to discuss the MHA's communication and decide whether it will participate in the meeting.
The LAB and KDA have maintained that the MHA should instead convene a meeting of the High Powered Committee (HPC), headed by Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai, to take final decisions on Ladakh's key demands.
At the HPC meeting held in New Delhi on May 22, an in-principle understanding was reached on setting up a Union Territory-level elected body for Ladakh with legislative, financial and executive powers, along with seven District Autonomous Councils.
The meeting also discussed restoring democratic processes in Ladakh and providing constitutional safeguards on the lines of Articles 371A, 371F and 371G.
However, the MHA is yet to release a draft outlining the proposed UT-level body, including its name, composition, powers and the roles of its chief, vice-chief and ministerial-level members.
The LAB and KDA have been seeking clarity on these issues before the proposed elected body is constituted.
Meanwhile, the Directorate of Rural Development, Ladakh has issued a draft proposal for Panchayat and Panch constituencies affected by the Election Commission for Union Territories notification in Kargil and Zanskar districts.
The move comes days after Ladakh Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra said Panchayat elections are proposed to be held in the Union Territory.