Leh, September 16, 2026: Chief Secretary, UT Ladakh Ashish Kundra chaired a consultative meeting with prominent citizens, former public representatives, subject experts, religious leaders, socio-religious organisations and political groups to seek wider views on the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (Nautor Regularisation) Rules, 2026.
The consultation focused on key aspects of the proposed framework, including regularisation of eligible historical occupation, tenancy and proprietary rights, land-use regulation, eligibility criteria, field verification and the role of LAHDCs.
Stakeholders Raise Key Land Concerns
Divisional Commissioner Ladakh Shubhir Singh briefed participants on provisions relating to Mustaqil and Gair Mustaqil tenancy, verification of eligible occupation, the prescribed cut-off date, proprietary rights and leasehold arrangements.
During the detailed discussion, stakeholders raised issues concerning historical occupation, old allotments, agricultural and pastoral land, remote and nomadic areas, and cases where historical occupation may not have been adequately reflected in revenue records.
Concerns were also raised regarding land associated with monasteries, mosques, schools and other religious and community institutions.
Participants sought greater clarity on the transition from tenancy or occupancy rights to proprietary rights, land-use conversion, regularisation charges, leasehold provisions, eligibility of existing occupants and safeguards against misuse or encroachment.
Stakeholders also stressed the need for proper field verification and greater public awareness, particularly in rural and remote areas, before implementation.
Ashish Kundra: Framework Must Balance Rights & Public Interest
Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra said the Administration is examining the Nautor issue with the objective of developing a clear, transparent and legally sustainable framework for genuine historical cases while safeguarding public land and regulating future land use.
He said the framework could provide greater legal clarity to eligible historical landholders, facilitate productive use of agricultural land and enable access to institutional credit, including bank loans, subject to applicable norms.
Kundra emphasised that the Nautor issue has important historical, livelihood, agricultural and socio-economic dimensions, requiring an approach based on legal provisions, revenue records and ground realities.
He assured participants that the suggestions and concerns raised during the consultation would be examined by the concerned revenue, legal and administrative authorities, with further consultation and necessary refinement before implementation.
The meeting was attended by former CECs and MLAs of LAHDC Leh, former councillors, retired revenue and administrative officers, representatives of the Ladakh Buddhist Association, Anjuman Imamia Leh, monasteries, Christian communities and other stakeholder organisations.
Broader Ladakh Issues Also Discussed
The Chief Secretary also briefed participants on ongoing discussions concerning Ladakh’s broader administrative and constitutional framework.
He informed the gathering that discussions between representatives of the Apex Body Leh and Kargil and the Ministry of Home Affairs are continuing, with various demands and issues concerning Ladakh under examination at the appropriate level.
