Centre proposes 95% govt. job reservation for locals in Ladakh

• The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has proposed 95% reservation in government jobs for locals in Ladakh, one-third reservation for women in hill councils and has agreed to address concerns regarding land-related matters.

Highlights:

• The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has proposed significant measures to address long-standing concerns in Ladakh. This follows prolonged protests and demands from the region since the abrogation of Article 370 in August 2019, which stripped Ladakh of constitutional safeguards. Key proposals include job reservations for locals, constitutional protections, and increased representation for women.

Key Announcements by the MHA

Job Reservation for Locals:

• 95% Reservation: Proposal to reserve 95% of government jobs for locals in Ladakh.
• Recruitment Framework: Gazetted recruitments (e.g., doctors, engineers) to be conducted via the Jammu and Kashmir Public Service Commission (JKPSC), as establishing a separate commission is constitutionally infeasible for the union territory (UT) without a legislature.

Constitutional Safeguards

• A draft is to be developed for safeguarding Ladakh’s land and culture.
• Official recognition of Urdu and Bhoti as Ladakh’s official languages, with recommendations to include Purgi, Shina, and Balti.

Women's Representation

• Proposal for one-third reservation for women in the Leh and Kargil Hill Councils.
• Highlighting women’s exclusion in decision-making, this step aims to empower women at various governance levels.

Pending Issues

• Review of 22 laws addressing local governance, wildlife, and empowerment.
• Focus on job creation and infrastructural development to combat delays in project implementation due to insufficient local bureaucrats.

The Four Core Demands of Ladakh

• The people of Ladakh have consistently raised the following demands:
• Statehood for Ladakh: Restoration of full-fledged statehood to the UT.
• Inclusion in the Sixth Schedule: Ensuring tribal status for Ladakh to protect its cultural and demographic identity.
• Job Reservation: Addressing unemployment by ensuring job opportunities for locals.
• Parliamentary Representation: Separate parliamentary seats for Leh and Kargil to ensure balanced regional representation.

Voices from Ladakh

• Thupstan Chhewang (Leh Apex Body):
  • Expressed optimism over immediate recruitment processes but emphasized the need for constitutional guarantees to address locals’ aspirations.
• Kunzes Dolma (Kargil Democratic Alliance):
  • Stressed the historic significance of including women in decision-making processes and the need for reservations to empower them in governance.
• Sajjad Kargili (KDA):
  • Welcomed the productive dialogue and emphasized preserving Ladakh's linguistic diversity by including more local languages.

Historical Context and Protests

• Loss of Article 370:
  • The reorganization of Jammu and Kashmir into two UTs in 2019 removed several protections for Ladakh, triggering protests across the region.
• Protests and Climate Activism:
  • Activists like Sonam Wangchuk have led campaigns demanding constitutional safeguards, culminating in resumed dialogue with the Centre.

Challenges Ahead

• Balancing Development and Culture:
  • Ensuring development initiatives do not compromise the region’s fragile ecosystem and cultural heritage.
• Implementation of Proposals:
  • Translating job reservations and constitutional protections into actionable policies to address unemployment and local governance gaps.
• Representation and Inclusion:
  • Incorporating diverse voices, including women and tribal groups, into the decision-making processes.

Prelims Takeaways

• Leh Apex Body (LAB)
• Article 370