Governor possesses power to grant divisional status to Ladakh, response from him positive:LAHDC, Leh

Leh, Dec 7: Asserting that the response from the Governor with respect to granting divisional status to Ladakh has been positive, Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC), Leh, Chief Executive Councilor, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal said they practically want to ‘free the region from Kashmir’.

However, he said the demand for divisional status will have no ramifications on their Union Territory status demand for the region.

The demand for divisional status for Ladakh has gained momentum after LAHDC, Leh, supported the demand of the Kargil Council by passing a unanimous resolution to achieve ‘better administrative set-up’ for the arid region.

“The response from the Governor administration with respect to granting divisional status to Ladakh is positive. But there is no official confirmation,” Mr Namgyal told TNN.

Answering a question whether the Governor has the authority to take such a decision, he said Governor has the power to declare Ladakh as a separate division.

However, he said after formation of the populist government in the state, the decision has to be approved by the Assembly within one year. “But, that will be dealt with at that time,” he said.

“The Governor is competent enough to give divisional status to Ladkah region. The legislative powers are right now rested with the Governor,” he reiterated.

He said the demand for divisional status will have no ramifications on our Union Territory demand for Ladakh region. But, he said till the time Ladakh gets UT status, it needs administrative autonomy though a separate divisional status.

The CEC of LAHDC, Leh also reiterated the demand of setting up a full-fledged university in Ladakh. “Creation of a University in Ladkah is another important demand as no such higher educational institute is available in the region… the children from Ladakh have to move to other parts of the state and country, not by choice but by compulsion, to pursue higher education,” he told TNN.

“It is not a new demand; we have been seeking a university since 2011. But, we think this is an appropriate time for this demand to be fulfilled under the Governor’s rule so we are pushing for it harder,” he said.

Justifying his demand for a university, Mr Namgyal ‘it is not our want, but a necessity’.

“A university in Ladakh will not only help the local population, but we can also accommodate national and international students as there is a huge of scope for study areas in the region.… it will also help in revenue generation,” he added.

Official sources said that the members from both the Councils have met Governor Satya Pal Malik and his advisors couple of times to press their demand.