In a significant announcement on July 13, 2026, Ladakh’s Chief Secretary, Ashish Kundra, revealed during a press conference in Leh that the Union Territory Administration will establish an Autonomous Hill Development Council in each of the newly formed seven districts.
Kundra described this initiative as a pivotal move towards enhancing democratic decentralisation and promoting grassroots governance. Under Section 3(1) of the LAHDC Act, a Council for each district is mandated, which will come into effect once the government issues a notification in the official gazette. The process now requires only specific amendments to the Act and a delimitation of constituencies.
In April 2026, Ladakh transitioned from two districts to seven, with the notification of Sham, Nubra, Changthang, Zanskar, and Drass. Up until this point, elected representation remained limited to the existing councils in Leh and Kargil.
Key Points from the Conference
- The decision to form the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils in all seven districts is seen as a crucial step in promoting grassroots governance and democratic decentralisation.
- Each of the seven new councils will possess all the powers specified in the LAHDC Act, equivalent to the authority held by Leh since 1995 and Kargil since 2003, rather than a diminished version.
- The Hill Councils will manage land ownership and allotment within their respective districts, allowing Sham, Nubra, Changthang, Zanskar, and Drass to exercise this authority.
- Recruitment and promotion for district cadre positions will be regulated by the councils, granting employment decisions to an elected body within each district.
- Each council will hold a designated council fund and have the authority to levy taxes and fees, ensuring that every new district maintains its own revenue base.
- The councils will independently formulate their development plans, enabling each district to establish its own priorities without influence from Leh or Kargil.
- Responsibilities will include management of health, education, tourism, local infrastructure, and social welfare schemes at the district level.
- A new body is proposed at the Union Territory level above the seven councils, designed under a customised Article 371 framework, which would encompass legislative, executive, financial, and administrative powers. The Chief Secretary indicated that this model has no equivalent in the country and will incorporate best practices from various existing arrangements.
- The structure and authority of this Union Territory-level body will be defined through consultations involving representatives from Ladakh and the Government of India, with potential adjustments in power distribution between the councils and the UT body. The councils represent the first concrete element of this new governance structure.
- Additionally, Panchayati Raj institutions will continue to operate alongside the Hill Councils, ensuring elected representation across village, district, and Union Territory levels.
This initiative represents a transformative step for Ladakh, aiming to strengthen local governance and empower residents in decision-making processes tailored to their needs.
