The Ministry of Home Affairs has proposed a new constitutional provision, described as Chapter K under Article 371, for Ladakh. The proposal aims to create an elected Union Territory-level body and provide special constitutional safeguards for the region. The development came during talks between the MHA and representatives of the Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance in New Delhi on September 9. However, no detailed draft of the proposed provision was presented at the meeting. Further discussions are expected, with the next round likely to take place in Kargil in October.What Does Article 371K Offer?The proposed Article 371(K) framework is intended to provide Ladakh with a customised governance arrangement while keeping the region a Union Territory. The proposed elected body could receive legislative powers over subjects linked to land, culture, language, forests, environment and natural resources. However, important questions about executive, financial, planning and administrative powers remain unresolved.The MHA has proposed a new Chapter K under Article 371.Ladakh could get a directly elected UT-level governing body.Powers over land, culture and natural resources are being discussed.The detailed constitutional draft has not yet been presented.Further Centre-Ladakh discussions are expected in October.Ladakh Has Sought SafeguardsLadakh became a Union Territory without a legislature in 2019 following the reorganisation of the erstwhile state of Jammu and Kashmir. Since then, the Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance have pushed for stronger political representation and constitutional protection for land, jobs, culture and local identity. Their demands have included statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule.The proposed Article 371(K) approach would be different from the existing Sixth Schedule system. The Sixth Schedule provides autonomous district councils in parts of the Northeast, while the proposed Ladakh model is being discussed as a customised arrangement for a Union Territory. The final scope of powers will depend on the constitutional framework eventually agreed upon by the Centre and Ladakh representatives.Also Read: CCEA Railway Projects Allocation: Eight Projects Worth ₹20,804 CroreDraft Still Awaits DiscussionThe September 9 meeting marked progress in discussions but did not produce the detailed proposal Ladakh groups had expected. Representatives said they wanted clarity on the structure and authority of the proposed elected body before accepting the framework. They have also sought protection against major irreversible administrative or land-related changes until an elected UT-level body is established.Ladakh Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra described the discussions as positive and said the broad contours of a “sui-generis” governance model under Article 371 were discussed. However, the Leh Apex Body and Kargil Democratic Alliance have indicated that the final details will be crucial in determining whether the proposal addresses their long-standing demands.Key HighlightsMHA has proposed Article 371(K) for Ladakh.The plan could create an elected UT-level body.Land, culture, language and natural resources are among the proposed areas.No detailed draft was presented during the latest meeting.Ladakh groups continue to seek stronger constitutional safeguards.Further talks are expected in the first week of October.ConclusionThe Centre's proposal for a new Article 371(K) chapter marks an important development in the long-running Ladakh-Centre dialogue. It offers a possible constitutional route for elected local governance and region-specific safeguards. However, the proposal is still at the discussion stage, with major questions about powers and implementation unresolved. The next round of talks and the eventual draft will determine how far the framework meets Ladakh's political and constitutional demands.Disclaimer: This content is provided only for knowledge and news-information purposes and does not represent a final government decision.
