Abishkar Upadhaya
Leh, Oct 19: The Administration of Union Territory of Ladakh has constituted a one-member Commission with Justice Bansi Lal (Retd) as its chairperson to identify areas adjoining Actual Line of Control (ALC) for the purpose of reservation under the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Act, 2004.
An order in this regard was issued today by General Administration Department (GAD) UT Ladakh vide No. 343-LA(GAD) of 2023. The order stated that the commission is mandated to examine the issues relating to identification of areas in the Union Territory of Ladakh to be designated as areas adjoining Actual Line of Control (ALC) for the purpose of reservation under the Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Act 2004 and Jammu and Kashmir Reservation Rules 2005, amended vide S.O. 14 dated 23rd April 2020.
As per terms of reference, the Commission shall examine the overall question of providing reservation to the residents of Area Adjoining ALC, or not, for recruitment to various posts under the Administration of Union Territory of Ladakh consistent with the need of ensuring the efficiency in administration and minimum standards for job recruitments.
Also, it shall determine the criteria to be adopted in considering any area of the UT Ladakh as area Adjoining ALC and using the criteria to examine the inclusion of villages of UT of Ladakh in the list of Areas Adjoining ALC.
The commission shall present to the Administration of UT Ladakh report setting out the facts as found by the Commission and making such recommendations as it thinks proper for categorization of residents of Area Adjoining ALC and providing reservation for them and other communities.
The Commission will submit its first interim report(s) within a period of three months from the date of its constitution and make its final recommendations before the end of the financial year; latest by 31st March, 2024.
The order added, “The Chairperson will be entitled to such salary, allowances and other perks as is admissible to serving judge of a High Court minus the amount of pension including any commuted pension thereon. Addl. Deputy Commissioner Leh/Kargil shall be the Nodal Officer for extending requisite support to the Commission in Leh and Kargil respectively.”
The Commission will be serviced by the Social Welfare Department of Union Territory of Ladakh.
