Union Home Ministry to meet leaders from Ladakh
The Hindu
Amid persistent demands and protests in the Union Territory for statehood, the MHA will hold a meeting with civil society leaders from Ladakh on June 19, 2023
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) will hold a meeting with civil society leaders from Ladakh on June 19. The meeting comes amid persistent demands and protests in the Union Territory for statehood and constitutional safeguards under the sixth schedule of the Constitution.
On January 2, the MHA had constituted a high-powered committee chaired by Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai to “ensure protection of land and employment” for the people of Ladakh. The composition of the committee was rejected by the members from Leh and Kargil.
The June 19 meeting will be chaired by Mr. Rai and other senior officials of the Home Ministry. Three members each from Leh and Kargil are expected to participate. Sajjad Kargili of the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) tweeted that the MHA had invited the KDA and Leh Apex Body for talks.
“We believe that dialogue is the only way forward. We hope for a positive outcome. We also expect that Government of India will fulfill our (Ladakh) four demands including Statehood for #Ladakh,” he said.
More than 2.6 lakh village and ward volunteers in Andhra Pradesh, once celebrated as the government’s grassroots champions for their crucial role in implementing welfare schemes, are now in a dilemma after learning that their tenure has not been renewed after August 2023 even though they have been paid honoraria till June 2024. Disowned by both YSRCP, which was in power when they were appointed, and the current ruling TDP, which made a poll promise to double their pay, these former volunteers are ruing the day they signed up for the role which they don’t know if even still exists