‘Maximum government, minimum governance’: Ladakh groups slam new hill councils
The Ladakh administration announced the creation of Autonomous Hill Development Councils (AHDCs) in five new districts, which has drawn criticism from local groups. The Apex Body, Leh, and the Kargil Democratic Alliance argue that this move undermines the powers of a proposed representative government under Article 371. Ladakh Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra stated that the councils aim to enhance democratic decentralization and address long-standing demands from residents.