Modi Government's Commitment to Small Entrepreneurs Highlighted by Nirmala Sitharaman in Ladakh

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman emphasised the Modi government's dedication to supporting small entrepreneurs. At a credit outreach event, she distributed loan sanction letters totalling about Rs 5 crore. This initiative highlights the government's focus on financial inclusion and integrating Ladakh's cultural identity into development plans.

Loan sanctions exceeding Rs 5.13 crore were disbursed under central schemes like MUDRA, PM Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), Stand-Up India, and PM Vishwakarma. Beneficiaries included homestay owners, artisans, and small entrepreneurs, showcasing the government's emphasis on micro-enterprises and self-employment.

Focus on Financial Infrastructure

Sitharaman noted that over 64,000 MUDRA loans and more than 600 Stand-Up India loans have been approved in Ladakh, with Leh district receiving a significant portion. Public sector banks have increased credit activity in the region, with total loan sanctions rising steadily over the past two years.

The finance minister praised the expansion of financial infrastructure in Ladakh. There are now over 500 banking touchpoints, and more banking correspondents are being deployed. This expansion aims to improve financial access for local communities.

Preserving Cultural Heritage

Sitharaman stressed the importance of anchoring development in local identity. Recent initiatives include recognising local languages under the Ladakh Official Languages Regulation Act and granting classical language status to Pali. These efforts reflect the region's rich cultural heritage.

The government is also committed to preserving local customs and traditions. The National Institute of Sowa-Rigpa has been established to promote this traditional system of medicine. Additionally, a decade-long ban on exporting Ladakh's Raktsey Karpo apricots has been lifted, followed by GI tags for Pashmina wool, Shingskos wood carving, and seabuckthorn products.

Education and Infrastructure Development

The Union government is focused on improving education access in Ladakh. The University of Ladakh was inaugurated in 2019 by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as the first-ever cluster university in the region. The Sindhu Central University has also been established to provide quality higher education.

Sitharaman outlined progress in infrastructure, digital connectivity, and renewable energy projects. Initiatives include BharatNet rollout, mobile network expansion, and green hydrogen projects. These developments aim to enhance connectivity and sustainable energy solutions in the region.

The event brought together public sector banks, NABARD, and financial institutions to deepen financial access for underserved sections like Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, women entrepreneurs, and remote communities. This collaboration seeks to ensure inclusive growth across various sectors.

With inputs from PTI