Reservation at 84 per cent and two more official languages: what the dialogue with Ladakh has produced

Background

The Ministry of Home Affairs has set out what the Centre's dialogue with Ladakh has produced. The demands raised for Ladakh are the 6th schedule and statehood. The Government of India has been engaged with the Apex Body Leh and the Kargil Democratic Alliance on those demands. A series of meetings was held through the formal channel of a High-Powered Committee as well as a sub-committee, besides informal meetings with leaders. The Ministry records that the process of dialogue has increased reservation for Ladakh's scheduled tribe from 45% to 84%, provided 1/3 women reservations in the councils, and led to Bhoti and Purgi being declared official languages. A recruitment process for 1800 posts was also commenced. Further meetings of the High-Powered Committee were scheduled, and the Ministry has stated that the Government stands committed to the aspiration of the people of Ladakh by providing adequate constitutional safeguards.