With the Union ministry of home affairs fixing another meeting with the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA)—proposed to be held in the first week of October over a governance model and constitutional safeguards—the chief secretary of Ladakh, Ashish Kundra, on Tuesday, said that a new framework is being worked out under Article 371 to provide constitutional safeguards suited to the specific requirements for Ladakh.
In this context, Kundra chaired a consultative meeting with members of civil society from Ladakh to discuss key administrative, developmental and political issues concerning the union territory, including constitutional safeguards, land rights, employment, culture, environment, education, drug abuse and other matters of public importance. The interaction was attended by prominent members of the community representing diverse backgrounds and sections of society, including Palga Rinpoche, Deldan Namgyal, former MLA, Rigzin Dorjay from the Ladakh Buddhist Association, Mohd. Shafi from Anjuman Moin-ul-Islam, Dechen Chamga from the Christian Association, Morup Namgyal, Padma Shri, Chewang Norphel, Padma Shri, Honorary Captain Tashi Tsepel, Tsewang Namgyal, former ambassador, and Kunzes Dolma from the Women’s Forum. Commissioner secretary, forest, ecology and environment, Dr Franklin, gave a detailed presentation on wildlife sanctuaries and settlement rights, while divisional commissioner/revenue secretary Shurbir Singh briefed the participants on the draft conferment of ownership and land rights. The eminent members of civil society put forth their views, suggestions and feedback on drug abuse, the draft conferment of ownership and land rights, and other important issues.
