NEW DELHI: Ladakh chief secretary Ashish Kundra on Friday clarified on Twitter that the February 4 discussions in the high power committee (HPC) on Ladakh, comprising representatives of the home ministry and Ladakh bodies like Apex Body Leh (ABL) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) — were wholesome and constructive, and that the govt is committed to a process of democratic consultation which involves all stakeholders of Ladakh.”Contrary to speculative media reports on the ongoing talks in HPC, the Delhi meeting with ABL & KDA was cordial and constructive. Government is actively engaged with all stakeholders of Ladakh in a democratic spirit. Rumours and twisted narratives are avoidable at this juncture,” Kundra said in a post on X. His reference was to a TOI report published on Thursday, claiming that the Centre had made it clear during the Feb 4 talks that Sixth Schedule status or statehood shall not be granted to Ladakh, and instead offered a “territorial council model’. KDA leader Sajjad Kargili too posted on X that “during the Feb 4 HPC meeting, no expression such as ‘rejection’ was used”. “The government raised certain objections and reservations regarding our draft…We presented and defended our demands with utmost sincerity and clarity. The next step now rests with the Centre to place its proposal before us. At the same time, we have clearly conveyed our position that the proposal of Article 371 along with a territorial council is not acceptable to us,” he stated. In an interview to a TV channel after the Feb 4 dialogue, Kundra had said that while ABL and KDA had mentioned their demand for Sixth Schedule status in the proposal presented at the HPC meeting, the MHA representatives explained that Sixth Schedule was inserted in the Constitution merely in context of the northeast, to protect the rights of minority tribes within a state/UT. “Nowhere else in the country is a whole territory under the Sixth Schedule,” said Kundra.On statehood demand, Kundra said Ladakh’s internal budget generation is a mere Rs 1,000 crore. “Can Ladakh be run on this small budget? We have to think about GPF and pension liability of govt servants in Ladakh, which is currently borne entirely by the Centre,” he pointed out. Kundra said people need to think with an open mind on what is best for Ladakhi people. “We have to balance financial sustainability, democratic rights, cultural preservation, land rights and employment opportunities,” he said. He confirmed that there was talk of several models including protection under Article 371, strengthening of district councils, creation of territorial council or a UT with legislature. About the AuthorBharti JainBharti Jain is senior editor with The Times of India, New Delhi. She has been writing on security matters since 1996. Having covered the Union home ministry, security agencies, Election Commission and the ‘prime’ political beat, the Congress, for The Economic Times all these years, she moved to TOI in August 2012. Her repertoire of news stories delves into the whole gamut of issues related to terrorism and internal strife, besides probing strategic affairs in India’s neighbourhood.Read MoreEnd of ArticleFollow Us On Social MediaVideos’Symbols Of British Empire’: PM Modi On North & South Block In 1st Address From Seva Teerth’Umar Bhar Yahi Bhool’: Yogi Adityanath Quotes Mirza Ghalib In UP Assembly To Target SP’s RecordBNP Demands Sheikh Hasina’s Extradition From India After Bangladesh Poll WinCongress Demands Union Minister Hardeep Puri Resignation Over Alleged Jeffrey Epstein Links RowPM Modi Speaks To BNP Chief Tarique Rahman, Congratulates On ‘Remarkable’ Bangladesh Poll Win6-Year-Old Dead, 5 Injured As Speeding Car Hits Pedestrians On Busy Lucknow Road; CCTV Shows HorrorKiren Rijiju Explains Why Modi Govt Paused Privilege Notice Against Rahul Gandhi After Dubey’s MoveTarique Rahman’s BNP Heads For Landslide In Bangladesh Election, Rivals Cry FoulPM Modi Unveils Seva Teerth, A New PMO Hub Marking Governance Shift In National Capital DelhiRafale To Be Built In India For The First Time Outside France After DAC Nod For 114 Fighter Jets123PhotostoriesTop 5 real estate hotspots in Noida to watch in 2026Seva Teerth opens doors: PM Modi launches new PMO complex in New Delhi – see picsAbs don’t equal healthy arteries: Doctor explains why appearance isn’t a health report card5 key features that make adventure bikes perfect for long-distance touring5 ways to remove pesticides from grapes and strawberries, tips for storage, and easy dishesFrom built-in air conditioners to radar ears: 5 animals with the weirdest ears and how they use themValentine’s Day 2026: 7 romantic red cocktails for Valentine’s Day celebrationFrom Titan Arum to Bulbophyllum Phalaenopsis: 7 worst smelling flowers of the worldDid you know Shahid Kapoor was rejected 100 times before his debut in ‘Ishq Vishk’? 6 lesser-known facts about ‘O Romeo’ actor5 hill forts of Rajasthan and why they are a traveller’s favourite123Hot PicksIT Stocks CrashGold Silver PricesBangladesh Election ResultsTelangana Municipal Elections ResultsIncome Tax CalculatorPublic holidays February 2026Bank Holidays februaryTop TrendingMarvel Rivals Season 6.5 Release dateErika KirkBad BunnyCatherine Polli Net WorthSeahawks Super Bowl paradeKayla NicoleAnthony JoshuaChloe KimCardi BMax Muncy
NEW DELHI: Ladakh chief secretary Ashish Kundra on Friday clarified on Twitter that the February 4 discussions in the high power committee (HPC) on Ladakh, comprising representatives of the home ministry and Ladakh bodies like Apex Body Leh (ABL) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) — were wholesome and constructive, and that the govt is committed to a process of democratic consultation which involves all stakeholders of Ladakh.“Contrary to speculative media reports on the ongoing talks in HPC, the Delhi meeting with ABL & KDA was cordial and constructive. Government is actively engaged with all stakeholders of Ladakh in a democratic spirit. Rumours and twisted narratives are avoidable at this juncture,” Kundra said in a post on X. His reference was to a TOI report published on Thursday, claiming that the Centre had made it clear during the Feb 4 talks that Sixth Schedule status or statehood shall not be granted to Ladakh, and instead offered a “territorial council model’. KDA leader Sajjad Kargili too posted on X that “during the Feb 4 HPC meeting, no expression such as ‘rejection’ was used”. “The government raised certain objections and reservations regarding our draft…We presented and defended our demands with utmost sincerity and clarity. The next step now rests with the Centre to place its proposal before us. At the same time, we have clearly conveyed our position that the proposal of Article 371 along with a territorial council is not acceptable to us,” he stated. In an interview to a TV channel after the Feb 4 dialogue, Kundra had said that while ABL and KDA had mentioned their demand for Sixth Schedule status in the proposal presented at the HPC meeting, the MHA representatives explained that Sixth Schedule was inserted in the Constitution merely in context of the northeast, to protect the rights of minority tribes within a state/UT. “Nowhere else in the country is a whole territory under the Sixth Schedule,” said Kundra.On statehood demand, Kundra said Ladakh’s internal budget generation is a mere Rs 1,000 crore. “Can Ladakh be run on this small budget? We have to think about GPF and pension liability of govt servants in Ladakh, which is currently borne entirely by the Centre,” he pointed out. Kundra said people need to think with an open mind on what is best for Ladakhi people. “We have to balance financial sustainability, democratic rights, cultural preservation, land rights and employment opportunities,” he said. He confirmed that there was talk of several models including protection under Article 371, strengthening of district councils, creation of territorial council or a UT with legislature.
