By Kashmir News Corner 
Jammu, Jan 6 (KNC): The Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is considering the formation of two Territorial Councils for the original districts of Leh and Kargil as an alternative to creating seven separate Hill Development Councils in the Union Territory of Ladakh.
As per news agency Kashmir News Corner — KNC, the proposal has emerged in the backdrop of the formal creation of five new districts in Ladakh. While the New District Committee (NDC) had recommended establishing independent Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDCs) for each of the newly carved districts, it also suggested an alternate governance model should the Centre opt against expanding the number of Councils.
The alternate plan proposes retaining the existing structure by forming two Territorial Councils one for Leh and the other for Kargil—to maintain administrative continuity. Under this arrangement, the Leh Territorial Council would exercise authority over the newly created districts of Sham, Nubra and Changthang, while the Kargil Territorial Council would cover Zanskar and Drass, in addition to the parent district.
Sources said the MHA, in consultation with the Ladakh UT administration, has examined both models and has already worked out the necessary amendments to the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council Act, 1997, to facilitate either option.
“The option of having separate LAHDCs for all new districts has been examined in detail. However, in case the Ministry decides against increasing the number of Councils, the Territorial Council model for Leh and Kargil has also been prepared to maintain the status quo,” officials said.
The NDC’s report, submitted last year, had also detailed district boundaries, headquarters, manpower requirements, and financial implications of the newly proposed districts. Officials said the formal notification for the creation of new districts will be issued by the Ladakh UT administration under Section 5 of the Jammu and Kashmir Land Revenue Act, 1996, following approval of posts and financial sanction.
It may be recalled that Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced the creation of five new districts in Ladakh on August 26, 2024. These include Sham, Changthang and Nubra in Leh district, and Zanskar and Drass in Kargil, taking the total number of districts in the UT from two to seven.
Officials said district headquarters have been identified and will be formally notified along with the creation of the new districts. Proposals related to budgetary allocations and postings of All India Services and UT cadre officers have already been forwarded to the Union Ministries of Home and Finance.
However, they acknowledged that full operationalisation of the new districts may take time due to infrastructure requirements such as district administrative offices and police establishments. While senior officers can be posted from existing cadres, recruitment of subordinate staff will require additional time.
Meanwhile, the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) continue to press for statehood and Sixth Schedule status for Ladakh and have submitted detailed representations to the MHA.
At present, Ladakh has two Hill Development Councils—Leh and Kargil—each comprising 30 Councillors, including 26 elected members and four nominated by the UT administration, headed by a Chairman and four Executive Councillors. (KNC)