--- title: "Centre proposes Article 371(K) for Ladakh but key powers remain undecided" url: https://projectchintan.com/article/ladakh-article-371k-talks-lx036 publisher: Project Chintan author: Project Chintan Newsroom section: Politics published: 2026-09-09T18:30:26.909Z modified: 2026-09-09T20:00:05.394Z language: en-IN --- # Centre proposes Article 371(K) for Ladakh but key powers remain undecided New discussions between Ladakh representatives and the MHA consider adding Article 371(K) to safeguard Ladakh, with ongoing talks about an elected UT-level body and its powers. A draft detailing provisions has not been produced yet, and next discussions are planned for October. ## Key takeaways - The Indian Centre proposed adding Article 371(K) to provide constitutional safeguards for Ladakh. - No draft of Article 371(K) was presented at the latest meeting; discussions will continue in October. - An elected UT-level body is envisaged with legislative powers over land, culture, language, and natural resources, among others. ## What Happened The Centre offered the addition of a constitutional provision described as Article 371(K) to extend protections for Ladakh. The offer emerged during a meeting in New Delhi between the Ladakh Sub-Committee (LAB) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA). The meeting followed prior in-principle understandings reached on May 22 and July 3 and involved representatives from the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA), including activist Sonam Wangchuk. Officially, there was no draft of Article 371(K) at the time of the discussions, and representatives indicated that the matter would be discussed further in October. The MHA reportedly stated that the intended UT-level governance body would be elected by direct election and would possess legislative powers over land, culture, language, forest, environment, natural resources, and other subjects reserved for the UT under Article 240. Ladakh has also sought executive, budgetary, planning, and financial powers for this elected body. There were questions about the scope of powers, including law and order, as see in Puducherry, with LAB and KDA noting the lack of clarity in those areas. Sonam Wangchuk suggested the assembly should have supremacy over bureaucracy and control over police and law and order, though officials indicated these topics would be discussed in October. Some representatives warned that ongoing structural changes to Ladakh’s governance could trigger renewed agitation if not handled carefully. The MHA reportedly promised a compensation package for those who suffered in the September 2025 agitation and indicated that withdrawals of protest-related cases would be considered, potentially in phases. The next round of talks was scheduled for the first week of October, when a draft Article purportedly would be discussed and comments on broader issues would be sought from LAB and KDA. ## Why It Matters The discussions denote a potential constitutional route to expanding self-rule and protections for Ladakh within the union territory framework. If a draft is eventually produced and agreed upon, the provisions could shape governance, land and resource powers, and the relationship between elected bodies and the existing administrative apparatus in Ladakh. The possibility of a compensation package and staged withdrawal of protest cases also signals attention to the 2025 agitation’s consequences and reconciliation efforts. ## Background Earlier talks in May and July pursued a notion of sui generis, tailor-made constitutional safeguards and an elected UT-level legislature for Ladakh. The current talks occur as groups pressing for greater democratic oversight push for explicit powers over land, culture, language, forest, and natural resources, in addition to potential law-and-order authority. ## Key Facts - The Centre offered Article 371(K) as a potential safeguard for Ladakh during a meeting in New Delhi with the LAB and KDA. - There was no draft of Article 371(K) presented during the meeting. - The intended UT-level governance body was described as being elected directly and endowed with legislative powers over land, culture, language, forest, environment, natural resources, and other subjects under Article 240. - Ladakh seeks executive, budgetary, planning, and financial powers for the proposed elected body. - Discussion on including law and order powers remained unclear and were set to be discussed in October. - Wangchuk and other representatives indicated ongoing discussions and potential agitation if changes are not satisfactorily framed. - The MHA reportedly promised a compensation package for those affected by the September 2025 agitation and consideration of withdrawing protest-related cases, possibly in phases. - The next formal discussions were scheduled for the first week of October, with a draft Article to be discussed and broader issues to be commented on by LAB and KDA. ## What Happens Next The MHA plans to share a draft Article 371(K) in the October discussions and seek further input from LAB and KDA. Additional comments on broader governance issues are to be collected during that session, as representatives indicated ongoing deliberations on the scope and details of powers for the proposed UT-level body. --- Canonical: https://projectchintan.com/article/ladakh-article-371k-talks-lx036 Reported from: Multiple Sources