Srinagar, Sept. 4 -- Lieutenant governor VK Saxena on Thursday approved the notification to establish Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils (LAHDCs) across all seven districts of the Union Territory. The decision extends the framework of elected local self-governance-previously restricted to Leh and Kargil-to five newly created districts: Sham, Nubra, Changthang, Zanskar, and Drass. The expansion follows the Union government's July 13 announcement to roll out the LAHDC architecture across the region. Expressing gratitude to Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union home minister Amit Shah, L-G Saxena described the step as a milestone in decentralising authority and strengthening participatory governance. "The creation of Autonomous Hill Development Councils in all seven districts is a milestone in strengthening grassroots governance in Ladakh. This will empower the people and enable development to be more responsive to local needs and aspirations," Saxena said. Issued by the revenue department of the UT of Ladakh, the notification takes effect upon publication in the official gazette. Elections for the five new councils will be conducted following a formal order under Section 8 of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Councils Act, 1997....