Ladakh becomes third administrative division of J&K
Nod to creation of divisional commissioner, IG posts
› After 2019 elections if the people of J&K repose faith in NC, our govt will grant division status to Chenab valley and Pir Panchal regions as already laid out in our regional autonomy promise. OMAR ABDULLAH , NC vice-president and former CM
› Creation of a separate administrative division for Ladakh is a welcome step. However, ignoring Pir Panchal & Chenab valley raises questions about the Centre’s intention. MEHBOOBA MUFTI , PDP president and ex CM
JAMMU : In a significant development ahead of parliamentary and assembly elections in Jammu and Kashmir, the governor’s administration on Friday approved the creation of a separate administrative and revenue division for Ladakh. The state now has three divisions—Kashmir, Jammu and Ladakh.
The newly created Ladakh division will comprise Leh and Kargil districts with its headquarters at Leh. The government has also approved creation of the posts of divisional commissioner and inspector general of police on the analogy of Kashmir and Jammu divisions.
The development comes close on the heels of Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s visit to Vijaypur on February 3, where he sounded the poll bugle seeking mandate from the people of the state.
Thupstan Chhewang, a 71-year-old Buddhist spiritual leader, had resigned on November 15 from the post of Bharatiya Janata Party MP from Ladakh constituency and party’s primary membership because of the betrayal at hands of the saffron party, which had promised UT status to Ladakh.
An official spokesperson of the state government said, “A committee has been constituted under the chairmanship of principal secretary to government for planning, development and monitoring department to identify the posts of divisional-level heads of various departments that may be required for the new division.”
There was a persistent demand for the creation of a seperate division for Ladakh from various organisations including the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDC).
Ladakh region is geographically isolated with a sparse population and rough terrain, which remains landlocked for almost six months in a year. The region is has insurmountable problems with respect to delivery of developmental schemes, redressal of public grievances, conduct of administrative affairs and governance.
The people of Ladakh had been demanding effective local institutional arrangements that can help promote and accelerate the pace of development and equitable all-round growth with regard to its peculiar geo-climatic and topographic conditions. At present, the powers of local governance have been decentralised by formation of Hill Development Councils for the Leh and Kargil districts.
As the J&K governor approved the creation of a seperate administrative and revenue division for Ladakh, political parties have raised questions over timing of the decision and clamour has grown for separate status for Peer Panchal and Chenab valley regions in the state.
National Conference vicepresident Omar Abdullah tweeted,“We will take care of regional & sub-regional aspirations. We won’t adopt the pick & choose approach of the governor but will instead take a holistic view & address the wider problems. Our regional autonomy document will be our template.”
“After the elections of 2019 should the people of J&K repose faith in @JKNC_ our government will grant division status to Chenab valley & Pir Panchal regions as already laid out in our regional autonomy promise,” he tweeted. PDP president Mehbooba Mufti , who had threatened to launch agitation if similar status is not granted to other regions said the creation of new administrative division for Ladakh and the process of decentralisation of administrative control is welcome.