*LG Saxena approves creation of 7 Autonomous Hill Development Councils in Ladakh*

Leh, Sept 03 Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh Vinai Kumar Saxena on Thursday approved the creation of seven Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDCs), paving the way for autonomous councils in all seven districts of the Union Territory after the Centre’s decision in July.

According to the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), the Lt Governor thanked PM Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah, saying that the establishment of the seven councils will decentralise and strengthen participatory local governance.

With the approval, LAHDCs will now be extended to all seven districts, including Leh, Kargil, Sham, Nubra, Changthang, Zanskar and Drass.

The framework of elected local self-governance, which was earlier limited to Leh and Kargil, will thereby, be also extended to the five newly created districts in the UT.

The creation of the new councils will provide institutional mechanisms for greater participation of people in matters relating to the development and administration of their respective districts, the LG said.

The notification issued by the Revenue Department said the elections to the newly constituted councils will be held in due course—(KNO)