Kargil, April 06: The Centre government has stated that no outsider has purchased land or invested in the Union Territory of Ladakh since 2019, amid demands for statehood and special status under the sixth schedule of the Constitution.

The Minister of State (Home Affairs), Nityanand Rai, informed Rajya Sabha of this fact, which is significant considering the ongoing protests by the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA). These organizations have been demanding protection of the region’s land, employment, and cultural identity under the sixth schedule.

“As per the information provided by the Union Territory of Ladakh, no land has been bought by persons from outside the UT during the last three years Also no Indian companies, including multinational companies, have invested in the UT during the last three years,” Minister of State (Home Affairs) Nityanand Rai informed Rajya Sabha.

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Recent reports indicate that the stalemate between the Centre and these groups may be ending, with the Ministry of Home Affairs seeking a revised proposal from the organizations.

Earlier this month, Ladakh’s Lieutenant Governor, Brigadier (Retd) BD Mishra, met top officials in New Delhi and briefed them about what efforts the administration is putting to end the impasse.

Before the meeting in New Delhi, the LAB leaders had briefed the Lt governor on their four-point agenda. According to a media report, the LBA also has submitted names of leaders to be incorporated in the high-powered committee of the MHA for talks.

Earlier, the LAB and KDA leaders have presented a four-point agenda to the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh, which includes statehood, safeguards under the sixth schedule, two parliamentary seats, and employment opportunities for locals.

After the bifurcation of Jammu and Kashmir into two Union Territories in 2019, any Indian citizen can purchase land in municipal areas of Jammu and Kashmir without being a domicile, according to a notification issued by the Union Home Ministry in October 2020.