Srinagar, June 13: Union Territory status for Ladakh, statehood for Jammu and autonomy for entire Jammu and Kashmir state came up for heated debate in the legislative assembly today. Opposition National Conference MLA Ali Mohammad Sagar sought the government's stand on union territory demand of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) even after the coalition government had delegated more powers to it.

Intervening in the issue during the question hour, deputy chief minister Mangat Ram Sharma said that the charge did not stand as members from the Ladakh region were part of the coalition government and had signed its common minimum programme, which was committed to maintaining the unity and integrity of J&K.


"I would rather say that the national conference government had delayed delegating powers to the council as enshrined in the hill development council act. We have only given them the powers that were due to them under the act.

Sagar alleged that the councillors of the LAHDC did not use state flags on their cars despite being conferred the status of minister of states and given powers to execute works upto Rs five crore without any administrative sanction.

He claimed that the people of Ladakh had not given up on the demand for UT.
Joining the discussion, CPI(M) MLA M Y Tarigami said some people in might have raised the slogan for UT but the majority of them wanted to be part of the state as they have been empowered by the new government.
Tarigami however said there were voices within the state, who demanded separation from India.

Bureau Report