The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) restored the power for the Lieutenant Governor of Ladakh to approve projects costing up to ₹100 crore. This was announced on January 1, 2026, under the delegation of financial powers rules (DFPRs), 2024. The MHA order says these powers apply to administrators and Lieutenant Governors of Union Territories without legislatures, including Ladakh. Lendup Sherpa, Under Secretary to the Government of India, MHA, said, "I am directed to refer to convey the approval of the competent authority for the delegation of powers for appraisal and approval of projects up to ₹100 crore under DFPRs, 2024, to the administrators and LGs of the Union Territories of Ladakh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Chandigarh, Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu and Lakshadweep, (subject to certain conditions)." This move comes a month after MHA withdrew the earlier powers of Ladakh's LG to approve projects up to ₹100 crore and administrative secretaries' powers up to ₹20 crore. Now, the LG’s powers will be used "in consultation with Secretary (Finance), Financial Advisor equivalent of the respective Union Territory," and only if adequate budget exists. The Ministry emphasized that "the delegated powers shall not be further re-delegated." All approved proposals must be reported quarterly to the Department of Expenditure through MHA. Furthermore, the LG’s power to sanction expenses under rule 16 of DFPRs, 2024, continues but only "after appraisal and approval of schemes by the concerned authorities" following Finance Ministry guidelines. This new order replaces the earlier MHA order dated September 19, 2025, and has been approved by the Department of Expenditure in the Ministry of Finance.