We Have Been Left Powerless, Says Chering Dorjay
Srinagar, Dec 2,: Co-chairman of the Leh Apex Body Chering Dorjay on Tuesday said Ladakh today enjoys less autonomy than it did as part of the former state of Jammu and Kashmir, accusing the Union government of dismantling local authority and concentrating power in New Delhi.
Speaking to the news agency Kashmir News Trust, Dorjay said the Hill Development Councils had greater functional independence under Jammu and Kashmir than Ladakh has today as a Union Territory.
“Autonomy under the former state of Jammu and Kashmir was far better than what we are experiencing now. We have lost control over our own decisions, and there is increasing interference from Delhi,” he said, but added that after the formation of the Union Territory, Ladakh received more money than while being a part of Jammu and Kashmir.
His remarks came amid anger over the withdrawal of financial powers from local administration. Under the new administrative order, the Lieutenant Governor can no longer approve projects worth up to Rs100 crore. Administrative Secretaries have also lost their authority to clear proposals up to Rs 20 crore, while departmental heads including Chief Engineers, Deputy Commissioners and Superintending Engineers have been stripped of powers to sanction projects worth between Rs 3 crore and Rs 10 crore.
All approvals will now be routed through the Ministry of Home Affairs.
The order was issued by Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta following instructions from the Home Ministry, triggering sharp reactions from political and social leadership in Ladakh.
“Instead of strengthening local institutions, they have taken away every remaining power we had,” Dorjay said.
He warned that routine governance and development decisions would now be made in Delhi, severely delaying work in a region with geographical and climatic constraints.
“We have barely six months of workable weather. Delays mean unfinished projects and risk of funds lapsing,” he said.
Ladakh became a Union Territory in August 2019 following the abrogation of Jammu and Kashmir’s special status. While the move was welcomed at the time, leaders now say that lack of an elected government and deepening centralisation have bred frustration.
“We were not consulted before our financial autonomy was taken away. Decisions were imposed without discussion,” he said.
He added that routing approvals through Delhi would slow development and increase political alienation. [KNT]
