Relevance: Prelims: Polity: Current Affairs
The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) wrote to Union Home Minister and Tribal Affairs Minister, recommending that Union Territory (UT) of Ladakh be declared a tribal area under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution of India.
About:
- Arguments in favour of its inclusion:
- Ladakh is predominantly a tribal region inhabited by various Scheduled Tribes, namely: Balti, Beda, Bot, Boto, Brokpa, Drokpa, Dard, Shin, Changpa, Garra, Mon and Purigpa.
- The Scheduled Tribe population represent 66.8 percent in Leh, 73.35 percent in Nubra, 97.05 percent in Khalsti, 83.49 per cent in Kargil, 89.96 per cent in Sanku and 99.16 per cent in Zanskar areas of the Ladakh region.
- Prior to creation of UT, people in Ladakh region had certain agrarian rights which restricted people from other parts of the country to purchase or acquire land in Ladakh.
Benefits expected:
- Bringing Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule will help in:
- Democratic devolution of powers;
- Preserve and promote distinct culture of the region.
- Protect agrarian rights including rights on land
- Enhance transfer of funds for speedy development of Ladakh region.