NEW DELHI: In a major move, the Union Ministry of Home Affairs has introduced two key decisions aimed at benefiting the people of Ladakh. First, 95 percent of government jobs will be reserved for Ladakhis with Scheduled Tribe (ST) status, covering both gazetted and non-gazetted positions. Second, women in Ladakh will receive 33 percent reservation in the Autonomous Hill Development Councils of Leh and Kargil.

The breakthrough also includes a major step for recruitment in Ladakh. All ‘A’ Grade posts, such as those in medical and engineering sectors, will be referred to the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) for exclusive recruitment in Ladakh. The decision on ‘B’ Grade posts is still pending, with discussions on whether a separate Public Service Commission (PSC) for Ladakh will be set up or if the Jammu and Kashmir PSC will handle the recruitment.

The Union Ministry also scheduled a meeting on January 15, 2025, to discuss other crucial matters such as statehood and the Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh. This meeting will involve members from the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA).

LAB co-chairperson Chering Dorjay Lakruk shared his satisfaction with the recent decisions. He stated that the High Powered Committee (HPC) meeting held in New Delhi was positive, and the agreement on 95 percent reservations for Ladakhis in government jobs was a major achievement. The 95 percent reservation applies to both gazetted and non-gazetted posts, including the higher-level ‘A’ Grade positions, with special focus on medical and engineering roles.

The decision also ensures that 95 percent of ‘B’ Grade posts will be reserved for local ST communities. The recruitment agency for these posts will be discussed in a future meeting.

Furthermore, a landmark decision was made to introduce 33 percent reservation for women in both the Leh and Kargil Hill Councils. The Councils each have 30 seats, with elections held for 26 of those seats. Of the contested seats, eight or nine will be reserved for women.

The government has also extended similar reservations for women in urban and rural local bodies in Jammu and Kashmir, as well as in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly, which will apply to elections after 2029.

The next step will be a Sub Committee meeting, set for January 15, 2025. This meeting will include three representatives each from the LAB and KDA.

The discussions in New Delhi were attended by key government officials, including Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai, Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan, and MP Ladakh Mohammad Haneefa Jan, among others.

In related news, Ladakh leaders have been advocating for a four-point agenda: statehood, Sixth Schedule status, a dedicated PSC for Ladakh, and two parliamentary seats for the region. The central government fulfilled a long-standing demand for Union Territory status for Ladakh in 2019, when the region was separated from Jammu and Kashmir.

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