Union Cabinet Considers 95 Per Cent Job Quota For Ladakh Locals, 'Bhoti' Language Among Those Proposed For Official Status

The Union Cabinet has taken up draft proposals regarding job reservations for locals in the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDC) of Leh and Kargil and the granting of official language status to Bhoti and other regional languages in the Union Territory (UT), sources confirmed, as reported by The Economic Times.

Key Proposals Under Discussion

The draft proposals stem from deliberations with the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA)—two groups actively advocating for statehood for Ladakh, its inclusion in the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, and the formation of a dedicated public service commission for the UT.

In a crucial meeting between the Centre and LAB-KDA representatives in December 2024, discussions focused on:
(i) 95 per cent job reservations for locals in the LAHDCs of Leh and Kargil
(ii) One-third quota for women in the Hill Councils
(iii) Recognition of multiple native languages as official languages, including Bhoti

However, it remains unclear whether the Union Cabinet has finalised the decision or if legislation will be introduced to implement these provisions legally.

Breakdown of Proposed Job Reservations

If the proposals are approved, the job reservations in Ladakh would be structured as follows- 80 per cent for Scheduled Tribes (STs) from Leh and Kargil, 4 per cent for residents near the Line of Actual Control (LAC), 1 per cent for Scheduled Castes (SCs), and 10 per cent for the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS)

Notably, Scheduled Tribes form over 90 per cent of Ladakh’s population.

Centre’s Engagement with Ladakh Leaders

The BJP-led Central Government had assured a Ladakh delegation in December 2023 that it was committed to fast-tracking the region’s development and addressing the people’s aspirations.

The High-Powered Committee (HPC) for Ladakh, led by Union Minister of State for Home Nityanand Rai, has conducted several rounds of discussions with LAB and KDA. 

The committee has been tasked with exploring the protection of land and employment rights, measures for inclusive development, strengthening the LAHDCs of Leh and Kargil, and possible constitutional safeguards for Ladakh.