Latest news with #NityanandRai
Hindustan Times
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Ladakh: Satisfied, but statehood main issue, says Buddhist association
President of the Ladakh Buddhist Association (LBA) and former minister, Chering Dorjay Lakrook, on Wednesday largely expressed satisfaction over Centre's notifications on domicile law and job reservations for locals. However, he said that statehood and constitutional safeguards enshrined under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to the strategic Himalayan region still remain the main agenda for the people of Ladakh, including the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA). 'The Centre's notifications on domicile law prescribing 15-year residency with prospective effect and 85% reservation to locals in jobs have been accepted by us,' he said. 'However, conditions like having studied for seven years and appeared in class 10 and 12 exams were not discussed by the Union ministry of home affairs with us. We will take up these clauses with the government,' he added. The former minister, who is also a member of the LAB, admitted that the LAB and KDA had arrived at a unanimous consensus for either taking 1989 as a cut-off year or 30-year prospective residency for the domicile law. 'But the government (Centre) didn't agree upon 1989 as the cut-off year. On 30-year prospective residency, the Centre told us that it will be a time consuming exercise involving law ministry and other allied departments. Though the Centre has assured us to do it, we also realised that we could not waste further time. We have already waited for six years and the career of our youth is at stake. For the past over six years, not a single gazetted job has been given in Ladakh,' he added. The LBA chief elaborated that 15 year prospective residency will come into effect from October 31, 2019. On public service commision in Ladakh, he informed that the Centre has given them three options of UPSC directly conducting Ladakh's exams, Ladakh having its own PSC or J&K PSC conducting exams for Ladakh. 'We have conveyed that any of the three options deemed appropriate by the Centre is acceptable to us,' he said. However, the veteran leader amply made it clear that statehood and Sixth Schedule of the Constitution remain the core agenda for Ladakh people. 'Talks are yet to take place on statehood and Sixth Schedule. We also want an additional Lok Sabha constituency for the region, but that's not possible before 2026 because of a rider imposed by the Supreme Court,' he said. Ladakh as of date has only one parliamentary constituency. In 2023, the Union home ministry had formed a high-powered committee under minister of state Nityanand Rai to discuss ways to protect Ladakh's unique culture.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Ladakh: Statehood issue yet to be addressed, say Kargil leaders
With the Union government notifying new rules for Ladakh, allowing reservation in government jobs for locals, a 15-year residency requirement for domicile status, one-third of seats in hill councils for women, and five official languages as part of efforts to safeguard the region's interests, the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) has said statehood is a big issue for it. At the same time, it also said 'something is better than nothing'. The KDA, along with the Leh Apex Body (LAB), has been spearheading an agitation in Ladakh, seeking statehood, safeguards enshrined under the sixth schedule of the Constitution and a separate public service commission (PSC) for the strategic Himalayan region. In 2023, the Union home ministry had formed a high-powered committee under minister of state Nityanand Rai to discuss ways to protect Ladakh's unique culture, considering its location and strategic importance. Reacting to the Centre's notifications, KDA's senior leader and political in-charge of Jamiat ul Ulama Isna Ashariya Kargil (JUIAK), Sajjad Hussain Kargili, said, 'Though it's good, women reservation was not a part of our four-point agenda. We have been agitating for legislature. Statehood is a big issue for us.' On domicile law, Kargili said, 'Something is better than nothing. In the past six years, not even a single gazetted post (job) has been given in Ladakh.' 'We also arrived at a consensus that domicile law of 15 years should be implemented prospectively. At the same time, we want it to be made 30 years. The government has assured us to consider it,' said Kargili. 'We hope that without further delay, the Ladkah administration will now advertise jobs,' he said. Congress' Tsering Namgyal, leader of the Opposition in Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council of Leh, welcomed 33% reservation for women in hill councils. He lambasted the Centre for fixing 15-year residency for domicile law and described it a ploy to change the demography of Ladakh. 'The LAB and the KDA wanted 1989 as the cut-off year to grant domicile certificates. This 15-year residency rule has been rejected by 80% to 90% people of Ladakh,' he said. Chering Dorjay Lakrook, ex-BJP minister and president of the Ladakh Buddhist Association, refused to make any comment. 'After we study them (notifications), we will address media on Wednesday. Till then, I have been asked not to talk to mediapersons,' he said. The Ladakh Civil Services Decentralisation and Recruitment (Amendment) regulation was notified days after the ministry and Ladakhi representatives met on May 27 and agreed to the rules, an official aware of the matter said. It defines a domicile for jobs for a person who has resided in the UT for 15 years, studied for seven years, and appeared for class 10 or 12 examinations in Ladakh. A similar policy was announced for Jammu and Kashmir in May 2020. The Union Territory of Ladakh Reservation (Amendment) Regulation, also notified on Tuesday, says the reservation shall in no case exceed 85% of the available vacancies, excluding reservation for economically weaker sections. The official cited above said 80% of vacancies are reserved for the region's majority, scheduled tribes (STs), 4% for those living along the Line of Actual Control or Line of Control, 1% for the scheduled castes and 10% for the economically weaker sections. The ministry had proposed 95% of the reservation for locals during discussions. The third notification provides for one-third seats for women in the hill councils by rotation to different territorial constituencies. The Ladakh Official Languages Regulation recognises English, Hindi, Urdu, Bhoti, and Purgi as the official languages and says that the administrator 'shall make special efforts for the promotion and development of other native languages of Ladakh: Shina (Dardic), Brokskat (Dardic), Balti and Ladakhi'.
Hindustan Times
3 days ago
- Business
- Hindustan Times
New quota, domicile rules in Ladakh plan
The Union government on Tuesday notified a raft of landmark rules for Ladakh, allowing reservation up to 85%, a 15-year residency requirement for domicile status, setting aside one-third of seats in hill councils for women, and recognising five official languages. The rules – part of efforts to safeguard the region's interests – come after months of protest by local groups and represent the most significant change to the region's administrative architecture since it was made into a Union Territory and hived off from Jammu and Kashmir in August 2019. 'The rules were notified days after the ministry and Ladakhi representatives met on May 27 and agreed,' said an official aware of the matter. In 2023, the Union home ministry formed a high-powered committee under minister of state for home, Nityanand Rai, to discuss ways to protect Ladakh's unique culture and language, considering its location and strategic importance. The panel, which included the members of Apex Body Leh and Kargil Democratic Alliance — a collective of trade unions, tourist bodies, and religious and political groups — deliberated on protections for land and employment, and the empowerment of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils of Leh and Kargil, and other constitutional safeguards. The Ladakh Civil Services Decentralisation and Recruitment (Amendment) Regulation said those who have resided for a period of 15 years in the UT or studied for a period of seven years and appeared in Class 10 or 12 examination in an educational institution located in the UT shall be declared a domicile of Ladakh for the purposes of appointment to any post under the UT, or under a local or other authority other than the cantonment board. Children of central government officials, All India Services officers, officials of public sector undertaking and autonomous body of central government, public sector banks, officials of statutory bodies, officials of central universities, and recognised research institutes of central government who have served in the UT for a total period of 10 years, are also eligible for domicile status. The domicile policy is almost identical to that of the Union territory of Jammu & Kashmir, announced in May 2020. The Union Territory of Ladakh Reservation (Amendment) Regulation, also notified on Tuesday, said the total quantum of reservation for jobs shall in no case exceed 85% of the available vacancies, excluding reservation for economically weaker sections. The official cited above said 80% of the vacancies were reserved for the region's majority, Scheduled Tribes (STs), 4% for those living along the Line of Actual Control or Line of Control, 1% for the Scheduled Castes, and 10% for the Economically Weaker Sections. The ministry had proposed 95% of the reservation for locals during discussions. This will make Ladakh have among the highest quanta of reservations in the country. In a third notification, the government said that in the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils Act, 1997, not less than one-third of the total number of seats in the Councils shall be reserved for women and such seats may be allotted by rotation to different territorial constituencies. The rotation of constituencies reserved for women shall be made on the basis of serial number allotted to each constituency by notification in the official gazette. Ladakh has two autonomous hill development councils - the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh and the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Kargil. The fourth notification, the Ladakh Official Languages Regulation, recognised English, Hindi, Urdu, Bhoti, and Purgi as the official languages and said that the administrator 'shall make special efforts for the promotion and development of other native languages of Ladakh: Shina (Dardic), Brokskat (Dardic), Balti and Ladakhi'. The Union Territory of Ladakh was created on August 5, 2019 after the Union government effectively abrogated Article 370, which used to bestow special status to Jammu and Kashmir, and split the erstwhile state into two UTs – Jammu and Kashmir with a legislative assembly and Ladakh without one. Since then, a string of protests have rocked Ladakh and had echoes in the Capital. In February 2024, thousands protested in Delhi, Leh and other parts of Ladakh demanding statehood and safeguards under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution. Environmental activist Sonam Wangchuk ended his 15-day fast in Delhi in October last year after a home ministry official met the protesters and promised to resume the talks related to Ladakh's development. Last year, the UT was roiled by protracted agitations across 66 days, over sixth schedule protections, statehood, an additional Lok Sabha constituency, unemployment and a separate public service commission The agitation intensified on March 6 last year, with Leh observing a complete shutdown followed by a 66-day hunger strike that was suspended three days ago in view of the Lok Sabha elections. The agitations saw BJP dropping its incumbent MP Jamyang Tsering Namgyal and fielding Tashi Gyalson to soothe the frayed nerves of the people. Sajjad Kargili, a leader from Kargil who participated in the high-powered panel meetings, called the notifications a positive step. 'All the assurances given by the government of India have been largely fulfilled. I believe this will now help local youth get employment in Ladakh, who have been in depression for the past six years, as no recruitment was done.' Kargili said they will continue discussions on other demands, including a separate public service commission, statehood, and the region's inclusion in the Sixth Schedule, which provides for the administration of tribal areas, establishment of autonomous councils with legislative, executive, judicial, and financial powers with a degree of self-governance. The rules define five categories under which a domicile certificate can be issued. Category 1 includes a Ladakh Resident Certificate (LRC) Holder or those eligible for LRC, or children of anyone in this category. They will have to present LRC or a document to prove their eligibility. Category 2 includes children of residents of the UT of Ladakh who resided outside the UT in connection with employment of business, or other professional or vocational reasons. Category 3 includes any person who has resided in Ladakh for 15 years or children of any such person in this category. They can present any document as proof of residence, such as a ration card, immovable property records, educational records, voter list, electricity utility bills, or an employer certificate. A person who has studied for a period of seven years and appeared in Class 10th or 12th examination in an educational institution located in Ladakh can apply for domicile under Category 4. They are required to present a certificate of education issued by the head of the institute and verified by the chief education officer of the school department of the concerned district, from the date of formation of the Union territory of Ladakh, that is, October 31, 2019 and a class 10th or 12th appearance certificate. Category 5 includes the children of central government officers, officials of public sector undertakings, autonomous bodies of the central government, public sector banks, officials of central universities, among others.
Time of India
3 days ago
- Business
- Time of India
Centre OKs 85% quota for locals in jobs in Ladakh
NEW DELHI: Conceding the longstanding demands of Ladakhi people for safeguarding their economic rights as well as cultural and linguistic identity, the Centre on Tuesday introduced new reservation and domicile policy for the Union Territory, guaranteeing 85% quota to locals in jobs while also reserving one-third seats for women in the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils. English, Hindi, Urdu, Bhoti and Purgi languages were notified as official languages of Ladakh, with new regulation also requiring boosting institutional mechanisms for promoting native languages like Shina (Dardic), Brokskat (Dardic), Balti and Ladakhi. Ladakh Autonomous Council to reserve 33% of seats for women Centre's move seeks to assuage the sentiments of Ladakh's native population that had been demanding constitutional safeguards to protect their language, culture and land after the special status of the erstwhile state of J&K, which included Ladakh, under Article 370 was abrogated in 2019, and Ladakh hived off into a separate Union Territory. Though short of their demand for Ladakh's inclusion in Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, the 85% reservation for local Ladakhis in govt jobs and seats in professional institutions, was worked out in consultations held by a high-powered committee led by junior home minister Nityanand Rai, with civil society organisations from Ladakh. The safeguards for Ladakh finally implemented on Tuesday, are contained in a set of three separate regulations promulgated by the President of India on Monday. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Sanitize & Smooth Clothes Fast with Philips Steamer Philips Garment Steamers Shop Now Undo The UT of Ladakh Reservation (Amendment) Bill Regulation, 2025 amends provisions of the parent J&K Reservation Act, 2004, to raise the cap on total reservation in jobs and professional institutions in Ladakh to 85%, excluding the 10% quota for economically weaker sections. The Ladakh Civil Services Decentralisation and Recruitment (Amendment) Regulation, 2025, defines the conditions for domicile status: anyone who has resided in Ladakh for 15 years, or who has studied for seven years and appeared in Class 10 or 12 examination in a school located in UT, or whose parents are central govt officers who served in UT for 10 years. Children or spouses of Ladakhis fulfilling the 15-year domicile condition will also get domicile status. The procedure for grant of domicile certificate, notified in a separate set of rules, makes tehsildar the competent authority to issue domicile certificates; an officer appointed by the UT administrator will do the same for the children of central govt officers with 10-year service in Ladakh. The Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDC) Regulation 2025, notified on Tuesday, states that "not less than one-third of the total number of seats in the council shall be reserved for women and such seats may be allotted by rotation to different territorial constituencies". The move is in line with spirit of the Nari Shakti Vandan Act, which provides for 33% quota to women in Lok Sabha and state assemblies. Ladakh has two autonomous hill development councils - one each for Leh and Kargil. Centre had assured a delegation from Ladakh in Dec 2023 that it was committed to fast-tracking the development of UT and meeting aspirations of the people in the region. Subsequently, an HPC for Ladakh was constituted under Nityanand Rai. In Aug 2024, Centre created five new districts in Ladakh - Zanskar, Drass, Sham, Nubra and Changthang.
The Hindu
3 days ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Act north: on the needs of Ladakh
The measures notified by the Centre on June 3 seek to address the several concerns that have been raised by the people of Ladakh regarding their language, culture and land. These issues came to the fore after the special status of the former State of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K), under Article 370, was withdrawn in 2019 and it was bifurcated into Union Territories (UT). New policies on reservation, languages, domicile and composition of hill councils for the UT of Ladakh include a provision for up to 85% reservation for indigenous people in government jobs. Further clarity is expected when the rules are framed. Several States in the Northeast have reservation above 80% for indigenous people in various sectors — for instance, Mizoram has 92%, and Arunachal Pradesh has 80% in jobs. To be counted as a domicile of Ladakh, a person must have a continuous 15-year stay from 2019 in Ladakh. This means that migrants in Ladakh, after it lost its special status in 2019, will be considered for domicile only after 2034. The comparable provision in the UT of J&K considers anyone who has completed 15 years as a registered migrant eligible for domicile. In hill councils, one-third of the seats will be reserved for women, as per the policy. English, Hindi, Urdu, Bhoti and Purgi languages will be the official languages. These measures fall short of the demands that civil society organisations in Ladakh have been raising. They want full Statehood, inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution which provides for special protection for tribespeople in several parts of the country, a second seat in the Lok Sabha and the constitution of a public service commission. While Ladakh, with a population of 2.74 lakh (2011 Census) has been demanding constitutional safeguards to protect its identity, culture and land, the lack of jobs and employment opportunities for the youth were at the heart of protests witnessed by the Union Territory in the past five years. A parliamentary panel was informed by the Union Home Ministry earlier this year that none of the 1,275 gazetted posts in Ladakh has been filled since the region became a centrally administered territory in 2019. The sustained campaign by the Ladakhis, both in Kargil and Leh, forced the government to form a high-powered committee in 2023, headed by Minister of State Nityanand Rai, to look into their demands. Ladakh is strategically located at the junction of India, Pakistan and China, where both neighbours have border disputes with India. Recent developments have demonstrated that both these countries often act in tandem. It is imperative that New Delhi pays close attention to the sentiments of the region.
