centre-approves-creation-of-five-new-districts-in-ladakh

The Home Ministry has approved the formation of five new districts in the Ladakh Union Territory. The aim is to improve governance and administrative services and make them accessible to more people.

The newly created districts include Zanskar, Drass, Sham, Nubra, and Changthang, which, the government hopes, will give more people  better access to local administrative services.

Commenting on the changes, Union Home Minister Amit Shah posted on X, "The Modi government is committed to creating ample opportunities for the people of Ladakh. 

“These new districts will ensure that the welfare schemes of the government go to the doorsteps of the people. It will strengthen governance in all parts of the region. 

"Under the vision of Prime Minister Shri @narendramodi Ji to build a developed and prosperous Ladakh, the MHA has decided to establish five new districts in the Union Territory. These five newly formed districts, including Zanskar, Drass, Sham, Nubra, and Changthang, will ensure that government services reach every corner of Ladakh, strengthening governance in all aspects," Shah said. 

The Modi government, Shah said, was committed to generating ample opportunities for the people of Ladakh. 

Other demands of various bodies in the Union Territory include sixth schedule status for Ladakh, a separate public service commission, and job reservations for Ladakhi youth. 

While negotiations with the MHA have been continuing for the last year or so, there has been no conclusive outcome to the issues raised by Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance, the two primary representative bodies that have been raising demands on behalf of the Ladakhis. 

The decision to approve the creation of five additional districts is being seen as an attempt to defuse recent tensions between the Home Ministry and representatives from Ladakh, who had just issued a threat to march to the national Capital if their demands were not met. 

While the Ministry’s move is likely to appease Ladakhi groups, the general feeling is that nothing but agreeing to their four-point agenda will work. 

However, the ministry, at its end, has also made it clear that demands related to a separate state and sixth schedule status are not acceptable at any cost during the negotiations. 

On August 5, 2019, Ladakh was declared a Union Territory and separated from the State of Jammu and Kashmir.