Centre Considers Special Provisions for Ladakh Under Article 371

The Union Home Ministry (MHA) officials have indicated to the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) that Ladakh could be considered for special provisions under Article 371 of the Constitution.

About Article 371

• The provision, which falls under Part XXI — “Temporary, Transitional and Special Provisions”, is currently applicable to 12 States, including Nagaland, Assam, Manipur, Mizoram, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Sikkim, and Karnataka.

• However, both LAB and KDA have maintained their demand for Ladakh’s inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, which provides for recognition of tribal status and grants a degree of autonomy and self-governance to tribal areas.

(Source: TH)