Ladakh Administration Dissolves LAHDC Kargil Amid Reorganisation

The Union Territory administration on Wednesday dissolved the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Kargil, following the creation of six new districts under reorganisation . The administration has also notified 100 constituencies for the UT’s eight hill councils. The State Election Commission of Ladakh has also announced panchayat elections on November 21. According to an official release from Ladakh’s Department of Information and Public Relations (DIPR), the polling for panchayat elections will be held on November 21, and the filing of nominations closes on November 2. “The model code of conduct has come into force with immediate effect,” said the release. The key decisions have come at a time when the Ladakh leaders were waiting for an invite for the next round of talks with the Union Home Ministry, expected on Thursday. On Wednesday evening, the administration in Ladakh dissolved the LAHDC Kargil. While the LAHDC Leh had completed its term in October last year, LAHDC Kargil would have completed its five-year term in October 2028. “The body corporate known as LADAKH Autonomous Hill Development Council Kargil stands dissolved and de-constituted with immediate effect. The Chief Executive Councillor, Executive Councillors and all elected or nominated members of the erstwhile Kargil council shall, with immediate effect, cease to hold office or exercise any powers as the members of the said council,” reads the order. “To avoid any administrative vacuum and ensure uninterrupted public service delivery, all powers, duties and functions hitherto vested in or exercised by the erstwhile Kargil Council shall be vested in and administered by Deputy Commissioner/Chief Executive Officer, Kargil, who shall administer until new, separate councils are fully constituted…” The dissolution took place after the creation of six new districts in the Himalayan region. While three new districts — Sham, Nubra and Changthang — were created from Leh district, Drass, Zanskar and Sanko were created from the Kargil district. As a result, Ladakh will have eight LAHDCs now. The Ladakh administration has also notified the constituencies for these new LAHDCs. While Leh will have 22 seats, 21 seats have been notified for Kargil. Similarly, 13 seats have been notified for Sankoo, 10 for Changthang, nine each for Sham and Nubra, and seven for Drass.