Article 371(K) Proposed for Ladakh

Key facts

• The Centre has proposed a new constitutional provision, Article 371(K), for Ladakh, offering an elected Union Territory-level body legislative powers over land, culture, language, forests, environment and natural resources.
• There is currently no Article 371(K) in the Constitution, which contains special provisions from Article 371 to Article 371J; the proposal would require a constitutional amendment.
• Ladakh became a Union Territory without a legislature on October 31, 2019, under the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, enacted on August 9, 2019.
• Ladakh's key demands include statehood, Sixth Schedule inclusion, protection of land, jobs and culture, and greater political representation; talks involve the Leh Apex Body and the Kargil Democratic Alliance with the Ministry of Home Affairs.
• Article 371A provides special protection for Nagaland and Article 371G for Mizoram over customary law, social practices and land ownership and transfer.
• Ladakh already has autonomous hill development councils in Leh and Kargil, and the Centre has moved to create such councils in all districts of the Union Territory.
• Key unresolved issues include the extent of legislative authority, the division of powers with the Lieutenant Governor and the Union government, and subjects like law and order and policing.