BharatNet Expansion and Mobile Towers to Ensure Digital Connectivity Across Ladakh's Panchayats

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman emphasised the Centre's dedication to Ladakh's development, highlighting the BharatNet expansion and new mobile towers. These initiatives aim to provide digital connectivity to every panchayat in the union territory. She expressed satisfaction with the spread of government schemes in Ladakh and mentioned plans to support layered tourism, including homestays and related infrastructure.

During a credit outreach event organised by the Union Territory Level Bankers Committee in Ladakh, Sitharaman addressed attendees, including Member of Parliament Mohmad Haneefa and Chief Secretary Pawan Kotwal. The event saw participation from senior officers of the Department of Financial Services, UT administration, banks, and other financial institutions.

Focus on Financial Inclusion

Sanction letters for Rs 5.12 crore were distributed to 25 beneficiaries under various government credit linkage schemes. These schemes aim to boost credit penetration and promote inclusive growth in Ladakh's remote areas, according to an official spokesperson. The event also showcased local entrepreneurs' spirit through 15 stalls displaying products and services supported by banks and NABARD.

Sitharaman praised bankers for promoting financial inclusion schemes across India, including Ladakh. She highlighted India's rich pre-colonial legacy when villages thrived on traditional skills and entrepreneurship. The JAM Trinity—Jan Dhan, Aadhaar, and Mobile—initiated post-2014 under Modi's leadership, has enabled seamless direct benefit transfers without intermediaries.

Empowering Local Communities

The minister noted that this initiative has significantly improved individuals' creditworthiness and boosted banks' confidence in lending. Currently, PMJDY accounts collectively hold over Rs 2 lakh crore. In Ladakh, targeted credit support has empowered artisans, agriculture, food processing, and handicrafts sectors to expand their ventures and access broader markets.

Banks have established a strong presence in Ladakh with 539 operational touchpoints ensuring last-mile connectivity. Infrastructure advancements include all-weather tunnel projects for better regional access, solar and renewable energy projects for energy self-sufficiency, NTPC’s green hydrogen initiatives, and green buses in Leh.

Preserving Cultural Heritage

Sitharaman celebrated Pali's inclusion among classical languages, reaffirming the government's commitment to preserving ethnic languages. She reiterated plans for supporting layered tourism in Ladakh as per recent budget announcements. This includes assistance for new homestays and related tourism infrastructure.

The BharatNet expansion and additional mobile towers will ensure digital connectivity reaches every panchayat in the region. This development is part of a broader strategy to enhance communication infrastructure across Ladakh.

With inputs from PTI