Formation Of 5 New Districts In Ladakh:
The Ministry of Home Affairs Minister granted “in-principle approval” for the formation of five new districts in Ladakh, increasing the Union Territory’s total number of districts to seven.The five new districts are Zanskar, Drass, Sham, Nubra, and Changthang.
- This move, aimed at improving governance and development in the region, has been widely discussed and welcomed by various stakeholders.
- Ladakh is one of India’s largest and least populated Union Territories.
- The current administrative structure, with just two districts Leh and Kargil has struggled to address the needs of its vast and difficult terrain.
- Due to its large area and inaccessibility, the existing administration faced challenges in reaching grassroots levels effectively.
- The new districts are expected to alleviate these challenges by providing more localised administrative units.
- Ladakh’s geopolitical significance and strategic location have made it a focus of development efforts, aiming to enhance both civilian and military infrastructure.
- After Article 370’s removal in 2019, Ladakh became a Union Territory under the Union Home Ministry’s direct administration.
- The creation of these districts aims to bring governance closer to the people, ensuring that benefits and services reach even the most remote areas.
- Ladakh is part of the Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP), which includes significant funding and infrastructure projects aimed at the region’s growth.
- The creation of new districts will further support these developmental efforts.
- The Home Ministry has directed the Ladakh administration to form a committee to assess various aspects of the new districts, including headquarters, boundaries, structure, and staffing.
- The committee is required to submit a detailed report within three months, after which the final proposal will be reviewed by the Union Home Ministry for further action.
- Political and Public Reactions: Political parties questioned whether the new districts would have elected Autonomous Hill Development Councils, like Leh and Kargil, to ensure meaningful local governance.
- While many welcomed the move, some social activists and former politicians called for greater political representation and functional autonomy to make the new districts effective in local governance.
