Ladakh was a totally forgotten land and highly neglected by powers that be in the State Capital that is Srinagar. Then came the Chinese in 1962 and gave a solid wake up call by coming up right up to Chusul.
Things stirred a bit but nothing much happened until creation of Ladakh Autonomous Council in 1995. Even after creation of the Council, things only limped around till boost given by PM Vajpayee.
Finally now things seem to be moving. The present Govt has now conferred real powers to the Council. This may finally lead to creation of Union Territory of Ladakh, which the people have been demanding since long.
The Ladakh Autonomos Hill Development council (Amendment) Act – 2018 will Empower the Local Govt as under:
Additional Executive Powers conferred to Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) will enable it to exercise administrative control over:
(a) Water Supply, irrigation canals, drainage & embankment, water storage, flood control, protection of water bodies and use of water channels for agriculture.
(b) Public health and sanitation, health services, hospitals, dispensaries and family welfare.
(c) Tourism and Tourism Development Authorities.
(d) Small Scale and cottage industries, handicrafts and handlooms.
(e) Science and Technology.
(f) Promotion and development of traditional Amchi System of medicines.
(g) Food, Civil Supplies and Public Distribution.
(h) Rural Development.
(i) The Council will be empowered to levy and collect local taxes and fees under its jurisdiction and operate the same for developmental purposes in the area.
Unspent allocation to be utilized as additional resource during next fiscal
JK Government will allocate resources under State Budget, Revenue/Capex heads and Centrally Sponsored Schemes to non-lapsable LAHDC funds.
The post of Deputy chairman will be created in the council who will be elected by LAHDC Councilors
Chief Executive Councilor (CEC) will be the Chairman of all Tourism Development Authorities in LAHDC Jurisdiction.
Panchyats will follow the directions of council
Council will have powers to appoint technocrat/academician of high repute to assist various committees.
The real clincher is that all Government employees working in LAHDC jurisdiction will be under administrative control of the Council including for disciplinary action.
