A day after inconclusive talks between Ladakh representatives and the Union Home Ministry, Lieutenant Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena announced Sankoo as the Union Territory’s eighth district on Friday. He also created five new tehsils, a significant step to decentralise administration, strengthen grassroots democracy, and bring governance closer to the people.
The creation of Sankoo district comes less than six months after the announcement of five new districts — Changthang, Drass, Nubra, Sham and Zanskar—reflecting the Administration’s continued efforts to make governance more accessible and responsive to the needs of people across Ladakh. With this, the number of districts in Ladakh has gone up to 8. Carved out of the existing Kargil district, the newly created Sankoo district is one of the most populous regions in Ladakh and will comprise the tehsils of GM Pore, TSG and Taisuru.
The decision fulfils a long-standing aspiration of the people of the region and will facilitate better administrative coordination, improve access to Government services and strengthen public participation in governance. LG Saxena, who was in Sankoo, later attended a massive gathering to celebrate the creation of the new Sankoo district.
A large number of people gathered amidst jubilant celebrations at Sankoo and expressed gratitude to the Central Government and the Lieutenant Governor for fulfilling their long-standing demand for a separate district. Earlier, on July 12, the Lieutenant Governor had announced the creation of 17 new tehsils as part of the broader administrative reorganisation of Ladakh. With the addition of the five new tehsils announced today, the total number of tehsils in the Union Territory has increased to 37.
Meanwhile, all eyes are set on the next round of crucial talks in New Delhi on October 22. During the meeting of the Sub-Committee in Leh on Thursday, the MHA officials submitted the draft proposals on the UT-level body structure and Article 371, while the LAB and KDA handed over replies to seven questions sought by the Home Ministry officials.
“There was a huge gap between what the MHA offered to us and what we have been demanding,’’ representatives of Leh Apex Body (LAB) said, adding that going by the documents there was no possibility of reaching a consensus. The LAB members confirmed that the Sub-Committee will now meet in New Delhi on October 22.