Ladakh Statehood & Sixth Schedule

Source: TOI

Context: A massive protest was held in Kargil, Ladakh, led by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk, demanding statehood for Ladakh and its inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution.

About Ladakh Statehood & Sixth Schedule:

• Ladakh Statehood:

• After the abrogation of Article 370 and bifurcation of Jammu & Kashmir on 5 August 2019, Ladakh became a Union Territory without a legislature. Demand: Full statehood to provide a democratically elected legislature and greater legislative autonomy. Rationale: To ensure local representation, control over resources, and safeguard cultural & environmental heritage.

• After the abrogation of Article 370 and bifurcation of Jammu & Kashmir on 5 August 2019, Ladakh became a Union Territory without a legislature.

• Demand: Full statehood to provide a democratically elected legislature and greater legislative autonomy.

• Rationale: To ensure local representation, control over resources, and safeguard cultural & environmental heritage.

• Sixth Schedule:

• Constitutional Basis: Provided under Articles 244(2) and 275(1). Applicability: Currently applies to certain tribal areas of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram. Purpose: To protect the rights, culture, and land of tribal communities by granting them autonomy through Autonomous District and Regional Councils.

• Constitutional Basis: Provided under Articles 244(2) and 275(1).

• Applicability: Currently applies to certain tribal areas of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura, and Mizoram.

• Purpose: To protect the rights, culture, and land of tribal communities by granting them autonomy through Autonomous District and Regional Councils.

• Aims of the Sixth Schedule:

• Preserve tribal identity, culture, and traditions. Provide self-governance in certain legislative and administrative matters. Protect land and resource rights of tribal communities.

• Preserve tribal identity, culture, and traditions.

• Provide self-governance in certain legislative and administrative matters.

• Protect land and resource rights of tribal communities.

• Key Features:

• Autonomous Councils: Elected bodies with legislative, judicial, and executive powers in specified subjects (e.g., land, forests, agriculture, village administration). Governor’s Role: Power to include/exclude areas, alter boundaries, and approve council laws. Legislative Powers: Councils can make laws on land use, forests, water, agriculture, public health, social customs, and village administration. Judicial Powers: Village councils/courts for disputes within tribal communities. Revenue & Taxation: Power to levy taxes on land, trade, professions, and markets. Financial Provisions: Grants from the Consolidated Fund of India under Article 275(1). Cultural Protection: Safeguards against alienation of tribal land and exploitation by non-tribals.

• Autonomous Councils: Elected bodies with legislative, judicial, and executive powers in specified subjects (e.g., land, forests, agriculture, village administration).

• Governor’s Role: Power to include/exclude areas, alter boundaries, and approve council laws.

• Legislative Powers: Councils can make laws on land use, forests, water, agriculture, public health, social customs, and village administration.

• Judicial Powers: Village councils/courts for disputes within tribal communities.

• Revenue & Taxation: Power to levy taxes on land, trade, professions, and markets.

• Financial Provisions: Grants from the Consolidated Fund of India under Article 275(1).

• Cultural Protection: Safeguards against alienation of tribal land and exploitation by non-tribals.