Union Minister for MSME, Shri Jitan Ram Manjhi, conducted a comprehensive review of MSME scheme implementation in Ladakh during a high-level meeting held at the DC Conference Hall, Leh on June 29-30, 2026. This marked the first visit by an MSME Minister to the Union Territory. The meeting was attended by Joint Secretary (A&T) Shri Vinamra Mishra, Deputy Commissioner Leh Shri Romil Singh Donk (IAS), Director of Industries & Commerce UT Ladakh Shri M.A. Bhatt (JKAS), Joint Director MSME-DFO Shri Amit Kumar Tamaria, State Director KVIC Shri Rajesh Kumar, General Manager DIC Leh Shri A.G. Zargar, along with representatives from banks, entrepreneurs, MSME associations, and officials of the Industries & Commerce Department.
Director M.A. Bhatt presented an overview of the MSME ecosystem in Ladakh and briefed the Minister on progress achieved under various schemes implemented by the Department. The meeting featured an interactive session where entrepreneurs, bankers, and industry representatives raised issues relating to scheme implementation, credit access, subsidies, and market linkages, with officials providing detailed clarifications.
Minister Manjhi highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision to promote employment generation and empower citizens through the MSME sector. He noted that MSMEs possess a relatively low carbon footprint and are well-suited for sustainable economic development in ecologically sensitive regions like Ladakh. The Minister appreciated the Udyam Registration Portal for simplifying enterprise registration but emphasized the need for wider awareness campaigns to enable more aspiring entrepreneurs from underprivileged sections to avail government scheme benefits.
During his visit, the Minister inspected KVIC's Centre for Rural Enterprise Acceleration through Technology (CREATE) at Handloom Bhawan, observing the woollen Pashmina yarn production process and appreciating the center's role in empowering local artisans through technology and traditional craftsmanship. He also visited PMEGP-supported enterprises including Pure Ladakh (Water Packaging), Nilza Bakery, and Ladakh Tissue, interacting with entrepreneurs and highlighting PMEGP's significant role in promoting self-employment and nurturing local entrepreneurship.
The Minister additionally visited the Self-Employed Women's Association (SEWA) Skill Training Centre in Leh, where a free skill development programme is being conducted with technical support from the Mahatma Gandhi Institute for Rural Industrialization (MGIRI), Wardha. He reviewed the ongoing training programme and interacted with trainees to understand their learning experience and aspirations, noting that such initiatives empower women by equipping them with modern skills and enhancing their participation in technology-driven livelihoods.