Centre to establish five new districts in ladakh, announces home minister Amit Shah

New Delhi August 26 2024 :  Home Minister Amit Shah announced on Monday that the Union Ministry of Home Affairs will create five new districts in Ladakh, marking a significant expansion of administrative boundaries in the region. The new districts—Zanskar, Drass, Sham, Nubra, and Changthang—are set to improve local governance and ensure that developmental benefits reach residents more effectively. In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Shah attributed the decision to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a developed and prosperous Ladakh. Shah emphasized that the creation of these districts will enhance governance at the grassroots level and bring public services closer to the people. He remarked, “In alignment with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision for a developed and thriving Ladakh, the Ministry of Home Affairs has decided to establish five new districts in the Union Territory. The Modi government is committed to offering extensive opportunities for the people of Ladakh.

Currently, Ladakh comprises only two districts—Leh and Kargil—each governed by its own autonomous district council. The addition of Zanskar, Drass, Sham, Nubra, and Changthang will bring the total number of districts in Ladakh to seven. This announcement comes amid ongoing political activity in the region. The Leh Apex Body (LAB) has planned a foot march from Leh to Delhi next month, scheduled to start on September 1 and conclude on October 2, Gandhi Jayanti. The march aims to urge the central government to resume stalled dialogues with Ladakh’s leadership. The LAB, along with the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), has been advocating for statehood, an extension of the Constitution’s Sixth Schedule, expedited recruitment processes, and separate Lok Sabha seats for Leh and Kargil.

Chering Dorjey Lakruk, co-chairman of the LAB, noted that the march might see a reduced number of volunteers due to peak farming and tourism seasons but confirmed that it would proceed. Climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, also supporting the march, highlighted that the initiative aligns with Mahatma Gandhi’s principles of non-violence and aims to highlight the region’s justified demands.Wangchuk expressed hope that the central government, now in its third term, would engage in renewed dialogue with Ladakh’s representatives. He stressed that the march seeks to amplify the region’s voice and hold the government accountable to its commitments.

The creation of these new districts reflects the central government’s efforts to address regional administrative needs while also responding to ongoing political pressures in Ladakh.