High-Power Ladakh Committee

The committee will talk about ways to safeguard the region’s distinctive culture and language while taking into account its strategic importance and geographic location, protect the land and jobs of the Ladakhi people, plan for inclusive development, and talk about matters pertaining to the empowerment of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill District Councils of Leh and Kargil.

Reason for formation of Committee

The protection of land, resources, and jobs has been demanded by civil society organisations in Ladakh for the previous three years, following the reading down by Parliament on August 5, 2019, of the special status of the formerly-existing State of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 of the Constitution.

Sixth Schedule

The sixth schedule under Article 244 of the Constitution protects the autonomy of tribal populations through creation of autonomous development councils which can frame laws on land, public health and agriculture.

Ten autonomous councils are currently operating in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram.
Ladakh has a total population of 2,74,289, with close to 80% of them being tribals, according to the 2011 Census.