What’s in the news?

• In a meeting with representatives from Ladakh, which has been witnessing protests recently, the centre has agreed to examine whether the provisions of the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution can be implemented in Ladakh.

Background

• • In 2019, the Government of India had revoked the special status of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 of the Constitution and bifurcated the state into the Union territories of Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.
  • Ever since the separation, several organisations have demanded that Ladakh be included under the Sixth Schedule. 

• In Ladakh, more than 97% of the population belong to Scheduled Tribes and many argue that this would safeguard their land, resources, and unique culture.

Benefits of adding Ladakh under the Sixth Schedule

• The Sixth Schedule under Article 244 (Administration of Scheduled Areas and Tribal Areas) of the Constitution of India guarantees certain protections for land and a nominal autonomy for citizens in designated tribal areas. 
• This Schedule contains provisions regarding the administration of tribal areas in the states of Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram.
• Inclusion under this Schedule would allow Ladakh to create Autonomous District and Regional Councils (ADCs and ARCs) — elected bodies with the power to administrate tribal areas. 
• This would include the power to make laws on subjects such as forest management, agriculture, administration of villages and towns, inheritance, marriage, divorce and social customs. A majority of the population in Ladakh belongs to Scheduled Tribes.
• The ADCs and ARCs may also constitute village councils or courts to decide disputes between parties from Scheduled Tribes, and appoint officers to oversee the administration of the laws they enact. 
• The Schedule also gives ARCs and ADCs the power to collect land revenue, impose taxes, regulate money lending and trading, collect royalties from licences or leases for the extraction of minerals in their areas, and establish public facilities such as schools, markets, and roads.