Why in news?

The Centre took two significant steps in the seven-year-old Union Territory of Ladakh recently: a Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) sub-committee shared a 32-page draft proposal with civil society leaders, while the Lieutenant Governor’s administration announced Sankoo as Ladakh’s eighth district.

Though seemingly unrelated, both moves reflect the Centre’s evolving approach to Ladakh’s persistent demands for Statehood and inclusion in the Sixth Schedule — demands that have fuelled recurring street protests since Ladakh was carved out as a UT from Jammu & Kashmir in 2019.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Why the Draft Proposal Was Rejected?
• Background: The High-Powered Committee (HPC)
• The May 2026 Commitment — And Why the New Draft Fell Short
• New Districts: A Parallel Governance Push

Why the Draft Proposal Was Rejected?

• The Leh Apex Body (LAB) and Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) jointly rejected the draft in principle.
• Key grievances:
  • The draft marked a significant departure from assurances made during earlier sub-committee meetings.
  • It failed to address the demand for a legislative assembly.
  • It offered no constitutional safeguards under Article 371 tailored to Ladakh’s unique circumstances.
• LAB and KDA urged the MHA to instead accept their own draft Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), submitted recently in Leh.
• Notably, not all civil society groups agree: The Civil Society Forum of Ladakh, led by ex-MP Thupstan Chhewang, welcomed the MHA’s roadmap — exposing growing internal friction among Ladakh’s civil society organisations.

Background: The High-Powered Committee (HPC)

• Amid rising protests, the MHA constituted a High-Powered Committee (HPC) in 2023, chaired by MoS Home Affairs Nityanand Rai.
• HPC’s Mandate:
  • Protect Ladakh’s unique culture and language, factoring in its strategic location.
  • Safeguard land and employment for locals.
  • Promote inclusive development.
  • Empower the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDCs) of Leh and Kargil.
  • Recommend constitutional safeguards to secure the above.

The May 2026 Commitment — And Why the New Draft Fell Short

• Centre-Ladakh talks in May 2026 produced minutes stating:
  • Statehood would remain the long-term aspiration.
  • As a first step, a “customised model of governance” via a UT-level elected body with executive, financial, and legislative powers would be established.
  • A “sui generis” (unique) model under Article 371 was proposed.
  • A key agreement: the elected body would gain control and supervision over civil servants, with Transaction of Business Rules to define power-sharing between the elected body and the Lieutenant Governor.
• LAB and KDA’s complaint: The new draft instead resembles a North-East Frontier Agency-type arrangement — closer to a Territorial Council model with power concentrated in the LG’s administration, falling far short of the legislature-backed sui generis model promised in May.

New Districts: A Parallel Governance Push

• Since 1947, Ladakh (population ~3.5 lakh, spread over 59,146 sq km of challenging cold-desert terrain) had only two districts: Leh (Buddhist-majority) and Kargil (Shia Muslim-majority).
• 2026 Reform: Creation of six new districts — Sankoo, Sham, Nubra, Changthang, Zanskar, and Drass — aimed at bringing administration closer to people.
• Each new district will get a hill council, with locals electing 26 members per council — intended to boost local representation.
• Existing hill councils: LAHDC-Leh (1995) and LAHDC-Kargil (2003) historically set local priorities and budgets, but their influence declined after 2019 under direct Central rule.
• The Ladakh administration is also pushing a three-tier representation system — elections for panchayats, municipalities, and hill councils — to strengthen participatory governance in a UT that still lacks a legislature.

Conclusion

The Centre’s twin moves — a contested governance draft and the creation of new districts — reveal a dual-track strategy for Ladakh: offering administrative decentralisation through more districts and hill councils, while sidestepping the core political demand for a full legislature and constitutional safeguards.

For Ladakh’s civil society, this distinction matters deeply — administrative proximity is not the same as political empowerment.

Until the gap between the Centre’s May 2026 promises and its October draft is bridged, Ladakh’s demand for Statehood and Sixth Schedule protection is likely to remain a live political fault line, even as governance on the ground gradually decentralises.

Why in News?

• The Maharashtra Government has approached the Bombay High Court against the Union Health Ministry and the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI).
• The State government alleges that the central regulator has created a parallel food-safety enforcement mechanism that encroaches upon the statutory powers of State authorities.
• The petition, filed through Maharashtra’s Food Safety Commissioner Tukaram Mundhe, challenges the manner in which centrally licensed food businesses are regulated and inspected.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Core Issue - Centralisation vs Decentralisation
• Major Point of Contention
• Licensing Thresholds and FoSCoS
• FSSAI and its Role
• FSSAI–State Relationship and Relief Sought by State
• Significance for Governance and Federalism

Core Issue - Centralisation vs Decentralisation:

• The dispute centres on the interpretation and implementation of the Food Safety and Standards Act (FSS Act), 2006.
• Maharashtra argues that the legislation was intended to decentralise food-safety administration, with implementation primarily involving -
  • State Commissioners of Food Safety;
  • Designated Officers and Food Safety Officers;
  • Food Analysts; and
  • Panchayati Raj Institutions and Urban Local Bodies.
• According to the State, subsequent orders and regulations have gradually shifted enforcement towards FSSAI and its central officials, weakening the role of State authorities.

Major Point of Contention:

• Maharashtra alleges that the FSSAI order (dated May 12, 2023) restricted State Food Safety Commissioners and their officers from independently enforcing the FSS Act in establishments holding a Central Licence.
• The State claims that FSSAI subsequently created or deployed positions such as Central Licensing Authorities, Central Food Safety Officers and Central Food Analysts, thereby establishing a parallel enforcement structure.
• The petition argues that such arrangements effectively “usurp” the powers of State Commissioners of Food Safety.
• However, FSSAI's own enforcement framework recognises both central and state structures.
• Therefore, the precise division of enforcement jurisdiction is a key legal issue before the Court.

Licensing Thresholds and FoSCoS:

• Maharashtra has also challenged FSSAI's revision of the turnover thresholds determining whether a food business requires a State Licence or a Central Licence.
• Under the Food Safety and Standards (Licensing and Registration of Food Businesses) Amendment Regulations, 2026, the revised thresholds are -
  • Registration: Turnover up to ₹1.5 crore
  • State licence: Above ₹1.5 crore and up to ₹50 crore
  • Central licence: Above ₹50 crore
• These revised thresholds became applicable from April 1, 2026 for new applications, with migration arrangements for existing businesses.
• FSSAI states that the amendments did not change the jurisdiction of licensing authorities.
• Maharashtra, however, alleges that the changes were introduced without adequate prior public consultation and has challenged the relevant regulatory provisions.
• The State has also questioned the mandatory use of the Food Safety Compliance System (FoSCoS).
• It argued that centralised digital licensing and databases could weaken the ability of State authorities to independently monitor and inspect food businesses.

FSSAI and its Role:

• The FSSAI is India's apex statutory food-safety regulator established under the FSS Act, 2006.
• Key functions of FSSAI:
  • Lays down science-based standards for food articles.
  • Regulates the manufacture, storage, distribution, sale and import of food.
  • Provides a unified legal framework for food safety by replacing multiple earlier food-related laws.
  • Regulates licensing and registration of Food Business Operators (FBOs).
  • Coordinates food-safety enforcement with State and Union Territory authorities.
  • Prescribes standards for food testing and facilitates a network of food laboratories.
  • Undertakes risk assessment, surveillance and food-safety monitoring.
  • Regulates imported food articles at ports of entry.
  • Promotes food-safety awareness and capacity building.
• Every FBO is required to obtain the applicable FSSAI registration or licence under Section 31 of the FSS Act.

FSSAI-State Relationship and Relief Sought by State:

• Enforcement structure:
  • The FSS Act envisages that State enforcement is carried out through the Commissioner of Food Safety, Designated Officers, Food Safety Officers, Food Analysts and local bodies.
  • FSSAI exercises its statutory functions at the national level.
  • Thus, the present dispute is essentially about where the line between central standard-setting/licensing and State-level enforcement should be drawn.
• Maharashtra's main grievances: The State has argued that -
  • FSSAI has progressively centralised food-safety enforcement.
  • State officers have been restricted from inspecting centrally licensed establishments.
  • Creation of central enforcement posts allegedly goes beyond the statutory framework.
  • Revised licensing thresholds were allegedly introduced without adequate public consultation.
  • FoSCoS may result in excessive central control over food-business databases and licensing.
• Relief sought: Maharashtra has sought -
  • Quashing of the challenged provisions of the 2011 Licensing and Registration Regulations, 2018 Recruitment Regulations and 2026 Amendment Regulations;
  • An interim stay on the May 2023 order;
  • Restoration of State authorities' inspection powers over centrally licensed businesses; and
  • Transfer of relevant FoSCoS database records back to State authorities.

Conclusion:

• The case raises broader questions of cooperative federalism, administrative decentralisation and regulatory federalism.
• Food safety requires uniform national standards because food supply chains frequently cross State boundaries.
• At the same time, enforcement often depends on local knowledge, field inspections and State administrative machinery. The challenge, therefore, is to maintain a balance.

Why in the News?

• India achieved its target of creating 11 crore Farmer IDs on October 23, 2026, five months ahead of the March 31, 2027 deadline under the Digital Agriculture Mission.

What’s in Today’s Article?

• Farmer ID Scheme (Overview, Key Components, Benefits, etc.)
• News Summary (Farmer Registry, Way Forward)

Overview of the Farmer ID Scheme

• The Farmer ID Scheme is an initiative under the Union Government’s Digital Agriculture Mission to provide farmers with a unique digital identity linked to verified agricultural and land records.
• The Farmer ID functions as an Aadhaar-like identity for agricultural service delivery. It is dynamically linked to State land records and contains information such as demographic details, land ownership and crops sown.
• The database created through these identities is known as the Farmers’ Registry, which forms part of Agri-Stack, the digital public infrastructure being developed for India's agricultural sector.
• The Union Cabinet approved the Digital Agriculture Mission in 2024, with the objective of improving agricultural service delivery through digital technologies.

Key Components of Agri-Stack

• Agri-Stack comprises three core digital registries designed to strengthen agricultural data management and policy implementation.

• Farmers’ Registry: Maintains farmers’ digital identities and associated agricultural information.
• Geo-referenced Village Maps: Provides geographically referenced village-level information to support agricultural planning.
• Crop Sown Registry: Records information about crops cultivated across agricultural areas.

• Together, these registries can help integrate agricultural data, improve coordination between government departments and support more informed decision-making.

Benefits of the Farmer ID Scheme

• The Farmer ID is intended to reduce administrative burdens and make agricultural support more transparent and accessible.
  • Simplified access to schemes: Reduces repeated submission of documents and verification for different government programmes.
  • Agricultural credit: Can facilitate access to bank loans and Kisan Credit Card services.
  • Crop insurance: Supports more transparent assessment and disbursement of compensation under the Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana.
  • Disaster relief: Helps identify eligible beneficiaries and accelerate assistance during emergencies.
  • MSP procurement: Can improve transparency in procurement and reduce the role of intermediaries.
  • Policy planning: Verified data can improve the monitoring of schemes, coordination among departments and agricultural policymaking.
• The system is also intended to reduce duplication and fraud, helping government benefits reach eligible farmers more efficiently.

Challenges and Inclusion Priorities

• The effectiveness of the Farmer ID Scheme depends on the accuracy of records and the inclusion of cultivators who may not appear as landowners.
  • Tenant farmers and sharecroppers: Actual cultivators may lack formal ownership records, making their identification and registration essential.
  • Forest Rights holders: Farmers cultivating land under recognised forest rights need to be included through appropriate mechanisms.
  • Data accuracy: Errors or outdated land records may affect registration and access to benefits.
  • Digital accessibility: Farmers with limited digital literacy or access to technology may require assistance.
  • Privacy and governance: Agricultural databases require appropriate safeguards for data security, access and responsible use.
• States and Union Territories are developing mechanisms, in accordance with applicable rules, to include eligible tenants, sharecroppers and other actual cultivators.

News Summary

• The Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare announced that India had created 11 crore Farmer IDs by the night of October 23, five months ahead of the March 31, 2027 deadline.
• Agriculture Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan described the achievement as a major milestone in digital agriculture.
• The government stated that more than 6 crore farmers had already received direct benefits under various schemes through the Farmer ID-based service delivery system.
• The initiative is expected to simplify access to agricultural credit, crop insurance, disaster relief and Minimum Support Price procurement by reducing repeated documentation and verification.
• The milestone was attributed to coordination between the Central Government, State governments, Union Territory administrations and field-level officials.

Farmer Registry: Demographic Profile and Inclusion of Cultivators

• The Farmers’ Registry, one of the three core registries under Agri-Stack, contains digital identities linked to land records, demographic information, ownership details and crop data.
• The reported profile of registered farmers shows that:

• Women: Approximately 26% of the 11 crore registered farmers are women.
• Small and marginal farmers: Around 81% belong to small and marginal operational-holding categories.
• Older farmers: Approximately 15% are aged 70 or above.
• Young farmers: Around 7.5% are below 30 years of age.

• A key priority is to include actual cultivators who are not recorded as landowners. According to the reported data, 28,680 cultivators, including eligible tenants and sharecroppers, have been registered in Uttar Pradesh, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh and Assam through State-specific identification mechanisms.
• Additionally, 3,14,298 Forest Rights holder registrations have been recorded across Assam, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Madhya Pradesh and Tripura.
• The integration of Agri-Stack with artificial intelligence, satellite data and weather forecasts could also support more accurate crop production estimates, personalised agricultural advisories, improved market intelligence and faster disaster response.

Way Forward

• The next phase should focus on converting large-scale registration into reliable and inclusive agricultural services.
• Expand inclusion: Ensure eligible tenants, sharecroppers and Forest Rights holders can register through transparent State-level procedures.
• Improve data quality: Regularly update land, crop and demographic records to reduce errors.
• Strengthen digital access: Provide assistance through local agricultural offices and field-level workers.
• Protect personal data: Establish appropriate safeguards for data security, access and use.
• Integrate digital services: Use verified information and emerging technologies to improve crop forecasting, insurance, credit access and disaster response.