Leh: The Ladakh unit of the Indian National Congress has welcomed the UT Administration’s recent efforts to expedite the recruitment process for Gazetted posts, following the meeting between the Chief Secretary of Ladakh and the Chairman of the Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) in New Delhi.
Describing it as a much-needed move to strengthen the region’s administrative machinery, the party acknowledged the step as a positive development.
At the same time, the Congress has raised serious concerns regarding the legal status of the Ladakh Resident Certificate (LRC) and its potential replacement by the Domicile Certificate in non-gazetted recruitments.
Addressing a press conference in Leh, a senior Congress leader pointed to a growing ambiguity following the June 27, 2025 order issued by the UT Administration, which stated that recruitment under the District Staff Selection Recruitment Board (DSSRB) would be conducted in accordance with domicile and reservation laws currently in force.
He said that this statement contradicts earlier verbal assurances given by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) that the LRC would remain in place specifically for non-gazetted posts.
The leader questioned why, despite those commitments, the administration now appears to be shifting toward the Domicile Certificate model without issuing a formal clarification. Instances of LRCs being rejected at Aadhaar centres as valid proof of residence were also cited, raising further doubts over the certificate’s legal standing.
Congress has urged the UT Administration to issue a public clarification on whether the LRC remains valid and in use, or if the domicile rules have legally superseded it. The party also stressed the need for consistency in recruitment rules, particularly when local youth and job aspirants are already struggling with limited opportunities and procedural uncertainties.
Additionally, the Congress expressed concern over what it described as the systematic disempowerment of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDCs). Under Chapter IV, Section 41 (A & B) of the LAHDC Act, the Hill Councils are empowered to make appointments not only to district cadre posts but also divisional and state cadre posts.
However, the party alleged that this authority is being undermined through the centralization of recruitment under the Ladakh Services Selection Board (LSSSB).
The Congress leader emphasized that the Hill Councils are democratic institutions earned after decades of struggle and should not be weakened. He called upon the current leadership of the Councils to defend their autonomy and uphold the interests of the people of Ladakh.
The Congress representative stated that while the party stands in support of constructive administrative reforms, any attempt to dilute local rights, bypass established recruitment mechanisms, or override existing legal provisions without public consultation would be firmly opposed.
