Ziraat Times News Desk
LEH: In a major update on Ladakh’s governance and development agenda, Chief Secretary Dr. Pawan Kotwal on Saturday announced a series of landmark measures achieved through the ongoing dialogue between the Government of India, the Apex Body Leh (ABL) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA).
Key outcomes include raising Scheduled Tribe (ST) reservation from 45% to 84%, introduction of one-third reservation for women in Hill Councils, official recognition of Bhoti and Purgi languages, and the recruitment of 1,385 new non-gazetted posts in addition to 3,179 appointments made between 2021 and 2024.
He also confirmed that recruitment for 224 Gazetted posts, including 125 Medical Officers, 67 Lecturers, and 32 Accounts Officers, has been advertised through the UPSC, with another 156 posts to be notified in 2026.
Addressing a press briefing at the UT Secretariat, Leh, Dr. Kotwal described these outcomes as “historic achievements” reflecting the success of the High-Powered Committee (HPC) mechanism that has facilitated continuous engagement between Ladakh’s leadership and the central government.
Constructive Dialogue, Employment Push, and Institutional Strengthening
Dr. Kotwal said that despite efforts by certain sections to derail the dialogue, the government has continued to work closely with all stakeholders. “The HPC and its sub-committees have produced tangible results across reservations, recruitment, and linguistic recognition,” he said.
He added that the rules have been amended to ensure that unfilled 10% EWS quota is allocated to general ST candidates within the same recruitment cycle — a measure aimed at promoting equity among tribal communities.
The CAPEX budget of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDCs) has seen a dramatic fivefold increase from ₹150 crore to nearly ₹750 crore, with 30% of UT Ladakh’s total expenditure routed through the councils. Over ₹2,410 crore was spent on employee salaries under LAHDC administration in FY 2024–25, Dr. Kotwal said.
“All land powers remain with the respective LAHDCs. The government is committed to empowering local institutions while protecting Ladakh’s land, ecology, and cultural identity,” he emphasized.
Law and Order, Youth Detentions, and Dialogue Continuation
Responding to recent law and order incidents, the Chief Secretary said that of the 70 youths detained during protests, 30 have already been released, and the rest will be freed in accordance with court procedures.
He alleged that “a few leaders acted irresponsibly and misled youth for personal and political gains,” resulting in the unfortunate events of September 24, which claimed four lives. Investigations, he said, would bring out the truth behind the firing incidents.
Dr. Kotwal maintained that the Government of India’s dialogue with ABL and KDA remains open and constructive. Preparatory meetings were already held in September, and the next HPC meeting is scheduled for October 6.
Commitment to Sustainable Development and Cultural Protection
The Chief Secretary reaffirmed Ladakh’s carbon-neutral development vision, stating that no commercial mining or resource exploitation is being permitted. “All development projects will be implemented through community consultation and consent,” he said.
He dismissed allegations of demographic change or cultural homogenization as “entirely baseless,” adding that the identity and heritage of Ladakh remain fully protected.
Regarding Ladakh’s demand for an additional parliamentary seat, Dr. Kotwal said the issue was discussed in the HPC and would be considered during the next delimitation exercise.
“Ladakh’s people are peace-loving and deeply patriotic. The Government remains committed to their aspirations, ensuring the protection of their land, culture, livelihoods, and environment,” Dr. Kotwal said in conclusion.
