J&K government declares Ladakh as its third administrative division

Jammu: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Friday declared Ladakh as the third administrative division of the state. This division will now have Leh and Kargil districts and headquarters at Leh, as per a statement issued by the state Department of Information and Public Relations.

The order issued by Governor Satya Pal Malik's administration stated: "The government has approved the creation of a separate administrative/revenue division for Ladakh."

"The division will comprise Leh and Kargil districts. Leh will be the division's headquarters."

The creation of two posts of Divisional Commissioner and Inspector General of Police (IGP) has already been sanctioned for the new division.

The order also approved the setting up of a committee under the chairmanship of Principal Secretary to government, planning, development and monitoring department to identify the posts of divisional level heads of various departments that may be required for the new division; particularly their staffing pattern, roles and responsibilities and proposed location of these offices.

Till now, the administrative affairs of Ladakh were being looked after by divisional administration of the Kashmir Valley. The people of Ladakh, however, for long had been demanding the creation of a separate administrative or revenue division.

The state now comprises of three divisions i.e. Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh.