Over a year after the Union Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) formed a High-Powered Committee (HPC) to address the concerns of Ladakh’s residents, representatives from the region met with Minister of State for Home Affairs Nityanand Rai in New Delhi on Tuesday.

Delegations from the Apex Body Leh (ABL) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), the two organisations spearheading the movement for statehood and related demands, attended the meeting at the MHA headquarters in North Block. Following the discussions, KDA leader Sajjad Kargili told The Indian Express that the MHA had “agreed to provide 95 per cent reservation in jobs for locals of Ladakh,” including both gazetted and non-gazetted positions.

Ladakh has faced a significant employment crisis since its separation from Jammu and Kashmir in 2019. The Union Territory lacks its own public service commission and is no longer included in J&K's recruitment processes. This has led to widespread frustration among the youth due to limited job opportunities. Former Ladakh MP and ABL leader Thupstan Chhewang, a member of the HPC, described the meeting as productive. “The meeting took place in a cordial atmosphere, and an important step has been taken in resolving the issues of the people of Ladakh. We have a firm commitment from the government on recruitment, and they have said that this will begin within the next three months,” Chhewang said.

While the job reservation issue has seen progress, other demands remain unresolved. Chhewang noted, “Those issues cannot be resolved immediately, so we have agreed to discuss our four-point agenda in the next meeting.” These demands include statehood for Ladakh, safeguards under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, reservation of jobs for Ladakh’s youth, and the creation of separate parliamentary constituencies for Leh and Kargil.

The HPC’s next meeting is scheduled for January 15. Chhewang underscored the importance of continued dialogue, stating, “We are keen that the government continue the dialogue process with Ladakh so that all issues of the people can be resolved.”

Since Ladakh does not have a legislature, it cannot establish its own public service commission. Representatives have proposed that Ladakh remain integrated with J&K’s PSC to address recruitment issues in the interim.

The MHA constituted the HPC in January 2023 after months of protests within and outside Ladakh. The HPC's mandate includes protecting Ladakh’s “unique culture and language,” considering its strategic location and geographical importance, as well as ensuring the protection of land and employment for its people.

Despite four rounds of discussions, talks broke down in March 2024 over differences regarding the HPC’s structure and agenda. The ABL and KDA have remained steadfast in their four-point demands, highlighting the region’s continued struggle for recognition and safeguards.