With local socio-political-religious groups up in arms against privatisation of electricity in Ladakh, the Union Territory (UT) administration on Thursday (May 7, 2026) said local stakeholders will be onboard on any decision to set up a power corporation in the region and assured there were no plans to set up any solar power plant in the ecologically-sensitive area of Changtang.
“It’s unfortunate that without seeking clarification from the UT administration that baseless rumours about privatisation of the electricity department are being spread in a region bordered by China and Pakistan. We believe in dialogue and democratic process. Any move will be made in a transparent way and stakeholders will be onboard,” said Ashish Kundra, Chief Secretary of Ladakh.
Mr. Kundra’s statement came in the wake of resentment shown by the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance, amalgams of socio-political and religious groups, over the proposed formation of a Joint Venture between the Ladakh Power Development Department (LPDD) (49%) and the Rural Electrification Corporation (51%) for the power sector in Ladakh.
Mr. Kundra, however, clarified that setting up a corporation was a requirement under the Electricity Act, 2003. “It has been done in J&K already. Every State in the country has set up corporations. We need to see if we can set up corporations with companies already working in Ladakh like National Hydroelectric Power Corporation Limited NHPC) or REC Power Development and Consultancy Limited and are ready to invest. We are still in the process of exploring what is the best for Ladakh,” he said.
