Ladakh region expanded from 2 to 7 ahead of Amit Shah’s visit

SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena on Monday issued a notification increasing the number of districts in Ladakh from two to seven, after which five more districts — Nubra, Sham, Changthang, Zanskar and Drass — were added, days before the visit of Union Home Minister Amit Shah.Calling it a “historic day”, Saxena said the move addresses a long-pending demand and will “strengthen grassroots governance” and improve service delivery in remote areas. Ladakh earlier had two districts – Leh and Kargil – governed by the Mountain Autonomous Council established in 1995 and 2003 respectively.Uncertainty remains over whether the new area will fall under the existing Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council or a separate committee will be set up.The decision, approved by the Union Home Ministry in August 2024, is in line with Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s vision of a “developed and prosperous Ladakh”, Saxena said, adding that it would open avenues for growth, employment and entrepreneurship.Shah is scheduled to arrive in Leh on April 30 for a two-day visit and participate in activities related to the Buddha’s Purnima, including paying homage to the Buddha’s relics.Leh-based BJP politician Tashi Garson called the decision “historic” and praised the party workers. Kargil Hills Congress president M Jaffer Akhoon called it a “welcome development” but said the demand for two separate districts of Sankoo and Shakar-Chiktan, the most populous divisions, was not being met.