Source: The post is based on the article “Sixth Schedule: Centre agrees to examine demands for Ladakh safeguards” published in “The Hindu” on 1st December 2023
Why in the News?
The Union Home Ministry has reconstituted a High Powered Committee to examine the demand of Ladakh to provide constitutional safeguards like inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution and granting tribal status to the Union Territory.
What is the High Powered committee constituted by the Union Home Ministry for Ladakh?
Chaired by: Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai.
Composition: It is a 22-member panel. It will have representatives from both Kargil and Leh divisions.
Terms of Reference of the committee:
1) To discuss measures to protect the region’s unique culture and language, taking into consideration its geographical location and strategic importance.
2) To ensure protection of land and employment for people of Ladakh.
3) To discuss measures related to the empowerment of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill District Councils of Leh and Kargil.
4) To examine constitutional safeguards that could be provided to ensure the measures and protection detailed above.
What is the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution?
| Specifications | Details |
| Constitutional Provision | Article 244 |
| Applies to | Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram. |
| Purpose | 1) It provides for the formation of autonomous administrative divisions called Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) that have some legislative, judicial and administrative autonomy within a state. |
| Composition of ADCs | 1) ADCs have up to 30 members with a term of five years. Of these, four are nominated by the governor and the remaining 26 are elected on the basis of adult franchise. 2) The Bodoland Territorial Council in Assam is an exception, with more than 40 members. 3) Each autonomous region also has a separate regional council. |
| Powers of ADCs | 1) Civil and judicial powers: They can constitute village courts within their jurisdiction to hear trials of cases involving the tribes. Governors specify the jurisdiction of high courts for each of these cases. 2) Legislative powers: The councils are empowered to make legislative laws on matters like land, forests, fisheries, social security, entertainment, public health, etc. with due approval from the governor. 3)The acts of Parliament or the state legislature do not apply to autonomous districts and autonomous regions or apply with specified modifications and exceptions. |
Why is Ladakh demanding its inclusion in the Sixth Schedule?
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