- Union Minister visits PMEGP-supported enterprises in Leh and appreciates entrepreneurs for their entrepreneurial spirit; Also visits the Self-Employed Women’s Association (SEWA) Skill Training Centre
New Delhi.: Union Minister for MSME, Shri Jitan Ram Manjhi, reviewed implementation of various flagship schemes of the Ministry of MSME in Ladakh during a high-level meeting held at the DC Conference Hall, Leh during 29th – 30th June 2026.
The review meeting was attended by Jt Secretary (A&T), Ministry of MSME, Shri Vinamra Mishra; Private Secretary to the Hon’ble Minister, Shri Surendra Prasad Pant; Deputy Commissioner, Leh, Shri Romil Singh Donk (IAS); Director, Industries & Commerce, UT Ladakh, Shri M.A. Bhatt (JKAS); Joint Director, MSME-Development and Facilitation Office (DFO), J&K and Ladakh, Shri Amit Kumar Tamaria; State Director, KVIC, Shri Rajesh Kumar; General Manager, DIC Leh, Shri A.G. Zargar; representatives from banks, entrepreneurs, MSME associations and officials of the Industries & Commerce Department.
The programme commenced with presentation on the implementation of various MSME schemes in Ladakh. Director, Industries & Commerce, UT Ladakh, Shri M.A. Bhatt, presented an overview of the MSME ecosystem in the Union Territory and briefed the Minister on the progress achieved under different schemes being implemented by the Department.
Addressing the gathering, Jt Secretary (A&T), Ministry of MSME, Shri Vinamra Mishra, noted that Shri Jitan Ram Manjhi is the first Union Minister from the Ministry of MSME to visit Ladakh. He highlighted the Ministry’s flagship initiatives and underscored the significant contribution of the MSME sector towards employment generation and India’s economic growth.
The meeting also featured an interactive session during which entrepreneurs, bankers, industry representatives and other stakeholders raised issues relating to scheme implementation, credit access, subsidies and market linkages. The concerns and suggestions were discussed in detail, and clarifications were provided by the officials.
In his address, Union Minister Shri Jitan Ram Manjhi highlighted the vision of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi to promote employment generation and empower citizens through the MSME sector. He further noted that MSMEs possessed a relatively low carbon footprint and were well suited for sustainable economic development, particularly in ecologically sensitive regions such as Ladakh. Appreciating the role of the Udyam Registration Portal in simplifying enterprise registration, he emphasized the need for wider awareness campaigns to enable more aspiring entrepreneurs, especially those from underprivileged sections to avail the benefits of Government schemes to improve their livelihoods.
Reiterating the Ministry’s commitment to the holistic development of the MSME sector in Ladakh, Shri Manjhi assured the participants that the issues and grievances raised during the meeting would be addressed in a timely manner. The meeting concluded with a vote of thanks delivered by Shri Amit Kumar Tamaria, Joint Director, MSME-DFO, Jammu & Kashmir and Ladakh.
Union Minister also visited KVIC’s CREATE centre in Leh
During his visit to Leh, Ladakh, the Union Minister also visited the KVIC’s Centre for Rural Enterprise Acceleration through Technology (CREATE) at Handloom Bhawan under the Ministry of MSME.
During the visit he observed the woollen Pashmina yarn production process and appreciated the Centre’s role in empowering local artisans through the convergence of technology and traditional craftsmanship, generating employment and strengthening a self-reliant rural economy.
A visit of PMEGP-Supported units in Leh
Union Minister for MSME, Shri Jitan Ram Manjhi, also visited PMEGP-supported enterprises in Leh, including Pure Ladakh (Water Packaging), Nilza Bakery and Ladakh Tissue. During the visit, he interacted with the entrepreneurs and appreciated their innovation, dedication and entrepreneurial spirit. The Minister highlighted the significant role of the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) in promoting self-employment, nurturing local entrepreneurship and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities under the leadership of Prime Minister, Shri Narendra Modi.
Interaction with SEWA Trainees in Leh
He 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, under the Ministry of MSME. He reviewed the ongoing training programme and interacted with the trainees to understand their learning experience and aspirations. He appreciated their enthusiasm and confidence and observed that such initiatives are empowering women by equipping them with modern skills and enhancing their participation in technology-driven livelihoods.
