Ladakh To Constitute Autonomous Hill Development Councils In All Seven Districts

The Union Territory Administration of Ladakh has announced that Autonomous Hill Development Councils will be constituted in all seven districts, marking a major push towards democratic decentralisation and grassroots governance.

Addressing a press conference in Leh on July 13, 2026, Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra said the administration had decided to establish a Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) in each district.

Section 3(1) of the LAHDC Act allows the constitution of a council for every district through a notification. The remaining steps include necessary amendments to the Act and the delimitation of constituencies.

Ladakh expanded from two to seven districts in April 2026 with the creation of Sham, Nubra, Changthang, Zanskar and Drass, while elected representation has so far remained limited to the existing councils in Leh and Kargil.

According to the administration, all seven councils will enjoy the same powers provided under the LAHDC Act. These include authority over land ownership and land allotment, recruitment and promotion of district cadre employees, maintaining a dedicated council fund, levying taxes and fees, and preparing district-specific development plans.

The councils will also oversee key sectors such as health, education, tourism, local infrastructure and social welfare within their respective districts.

The administration has also proposed establishing a Union Territory-level body above the seven councils under a customised Article 371 framework with legislative, executive, financial and administrative powers.

Chief Secretary Kundra said the model would have no parallel elsewhere in the country and would incorporate the best features of existing governance arrangements.

Consultations between Ladakh’s representatives and the Government of India will finalise the structure and powers of the proposed UT-level body.

The administration also clarified that Panchayati Raj institutions will continue to function alongside the Hill Councils, ensuring elected representation at the village, district and Union Territory levels.