Sonam Wangchuk asked why Ladakh cannot be given greater political autonomy when Arunachal was granted statehood despite its strategic location; advocate Vikram Hegde, who has been advising the LAB and KDA during negotiations with the Home Ministry, says the gap between the government’s proposal and the aspirations of Ladakh residents remains substantial

The administration of Ladakh has notified 100 elected constituencies for the eight districts of the region; nominations will close on November 2 while the Model Code of Conduct has come into force with immediate effect

The draft, accessed by The Hindu asks, whether the delimitation of constituencies for the elected body will be done by an election authority or a Delimitation Commission; it also explores multiple options, including reserving one-third or up to 50% of the seats in the proposed body for women

L-G Vinai Kumar Saxena says the decision is historic as ‘it was implemented in a record time of just six days and now paves the way for creation of LAHDC in all eight districts of Ladakh, including the newly-created Sankoo district’

The Union Home Ministry’s proposal, which was rejected by civil society bodies, involved constitutional amendments and subsequent regulations for a directly elected U.T.-level body, says an official; meaningful negotiations require mutual trust, says Chief Secretary

The two developments may come across unrelated, but indicates the Centre’s fresh approach to address the demands of the region at various levels; next round of talks on October 22 in New Delhi

Ladakh Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra said the move was significant as it would bring justice closer to the people of the Union Territory

Prime Minister Narendra Modi virtually inaugurated five development projects worth around ₹3,350 crore in Ladakh, including a new Leh airport terminal and the Nimmu-Padum-Darcha road, and said proposals for satellite campuses of IIT Jammu and IIM Jammu were being advanced