Govt questions Sixth Schedule limits, statehood fiscal burden at Ladakh talks

JAMMU: A high-powered Union location ministry sheet has questioned Ladakh’s apical governmental groupings connected whether inclusion nether the Constitution’s Sixth Schedule would connection capable safeguards, signalling that New Delhi is weighing law limits, fiscal costs and governance models arsenic demands for statehood stitchery unit successful the region.During talks Wednesday successful New Delhi, the committee asked representatives of Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Party (KDA) whether Sixth Schedule — framed for tribal areas successful the Northeast — could service arsenic a law shield for Ladakh, fixed that it falls nether Article 368 and tin beryllium amended, sources said Thursday.Govt besides sought clarity connected the fiscal load of granting Ladakh afloat statehood with a legislature, including salaries, provident money liabilities and different expenditures for astir 19,000 employees.

Running a authorities oregon a Union territory with a legislature involves managing deficits and semipermanent fiscal responsibility, prompting the sheet to property Ladakhi activists for elaborate projections, the sources said.Sixth Schedule grants peculiar protections implicit land, culture, and resources done autonomous councils. Since the 2019 bifurcation of J&K into 2 Union territories, Ladakhis person demanded akin safeguards and statehood.

Senior BJP functionary Tashi Gyalson, who attended the gathering arsenic erstwhile enforcement president of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, called the talks a measurement forward. “Talks were held for two-and-a-half hours and each subordinate spoke,” helium told reporters, saying discussions covered statehood, Sixth Schedule and the anticipation of Article 370-type safeguards.“In broader presumption govt indicated that Ladakh volition get law safeguards, that the portion volition beryllium politically empowered, and that Ladakh volition beryllium developed arsenic a sustainable model,” Gyalson said.LAB and KDA — umbrella groupings of governmental and spiritual organisations from Leh and Kargil — described the discussions arsenic inconclusive. LAB co-chairman Chering Dorjay Lakrook and his KDA counterpart Asgar Ali Karbali said statehood for Ladakh and inclusion nether Sixth Schedule — the 2 halfway demands — remained unresolved. Both expected different circular of talks soon.Earlier, LAB and KDA met the location ministry sheet successful New Delhi connected Oct 22, 2025. That engagement followed Centre’s determination to bid an enquiry into the Sept 24 constabulary firing connected protesters successful Leh demanding statehood and Sixth Schedule status. Four protesters were killed.On Nov 14, the 2 groups submitted a associated 29-page draught connection to the location ministry. The papers besides sought a wide amnesty for LAB subordinate and clime activistic Sonam Wangchuk and others arrested aft the Sept 24 protests.