Ladakh parties, groups say UT's Industrial Land Allotment Draft Policy 'anti-locals'

Srinagar: The Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) have raised serious concerns over the latest draft of the Ladakh Industrial Land Allotment policy for the Union territory, stating that no stakeholder has been involved in the process and that it is aimed to disenfranchise people of Ladakh from their land and jobs.

KDA consists of political parties, including National Conference and Congress, among other political and religious groups. LAB consists of former BJP members, Congress, NC, Ladakh Buddhist Association and religious bodies.

LAB convened a meeting in Leh to discuss the latest draft of the Ladakh Industrial Land Allotment policy issued by the administration recently. The body has said it sidelines the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) Act, giving the local representatives no say in land allotment.


"The elected council members were not involved in the process of drafting this policy. No public representatives were involved and have no say in which industries will be set up here," Chhering Dorje, a prominent LAB member, told ET. He said the policy is aimed to "grab the land of the people of Ladakh. They want to get people from outside and settle them here", alleged Dorje.

The leaders said lack of transparency and non-involvement of local stakeholders in decision making is a serious threat. LAB is now planning to submit its response, including their concerns and suggestions, to the Ladakh administration on November 8.