JK News Today
Leh, July 13: Jubilant celebrations were witnessed across Ladakh after the Government of India approved the proposal to extend the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Act to all seven districts of the Union Territory, paving the way for the establishment of five new Autonomous Hill Development Councils in the newly created districts of Sham, Nubra, Changthang, Drass and Zanskar. The historic decision will ensure that every district of Ladakh has its own democratically elected Hill Council, strengthening grassroots governance and regional empowerment.
The announcement has been welcomed by people from every corner of Ladakh, with residents describing it as the fulfilment of a long-pending aspiration for equitable representation and decentralised administration. Citizens believe the move will bring decision-making closer to the people, enable faster implementation of development projects, and ensure that the unique needs of each district are addressed through locally elected institutions.
Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra described the decision as a landmark administrative reform aimed at deepening democratic decentralisation in Ladakh. He said extending the LAHDC framework to all seven districts would provide equal opportunities for local governance, strengthen public participation and create a uniform system of autonomous district administration across the Union Territory. Necessary legislative amendments and administrative processes will now be undertaken for the constitution of the new councils.
People across Ladakh have expressed heartfelt gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena for taking what many have described as a visionary and historic step towards empowering every region of Ladakh. Residents have acknowledged the leadership of the Central Government in fulfilling another major aspiration following the creation of the five new districts, saying the decision reflects a commitment to inclusive development and responsive governance.
The extension of the LAHDC Act is expected to usher in a new era of local self-governance by ensuring that Leh, Kargil, Sham, Nubra, Changthang, Drass and Zanskar each have their own autonomous elected council. The move is widely seen as strengthening democracy at the grassroots, preserving the distinct identity of every region, and ensuring balanced development across the Union Territory.
For many Ladakhis, the creation of seven Autonomous Hill Development Councils is more than an administrative reform—it represents a significant milestone in the journey towards stronger local governance, greater public participation and a brighter future for every district of Ladakh.
