Centre extending support through host of schemes: Ministry
*Employment
generated for over 54,000 persons
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, July 24: The Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) sector in the Union Territory of Ladakh is witnessing a steady push with significant support from the Central Government through a series of targeted schemes. This momentum is reflected in the registration of over 18,500 enterprises, which have collectively generated employment for more than 54,000 individuals marking a major milestone for the high-altitude region.
This was revealed in a written reply by the Minister of State for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Shobha Karandlaje in response to a question of Member of Parliament from Ladakh Mohd Haneefa in the Lok Sabha today.
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The Minister said that Central Government is supplementing the efforts of the States/Union Territories through various schemes, programmes and policy initiatives for promoting the growth and competitiveness of MSMEs and facilitating technological up-gradation and innovation of MSMEs including Ladakh.
These schemes/ programmes include Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) Schemes, Credit Guarantee Scheme for Micro and Small Enterprises, PM Vishwakarma Scheme, Procurement and Marketing Support (PMS) Scheme, Entrepreneurship & Skill Development Programme Scheme, Micro and Small Enterprises – Cluster Development Programme, Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance, MSME Champions Scheme.
“A total of 18594 MSMEs have been registered in the Union Territory of Ladakh employing 54,284 persons. This showcases growing entrepreneurial activity in the region”, the Minister added.
Under PMEGP and Khadi Gramodyog Vikas Yojana (KGVY), 9,532 entrepreneurs in Ladakh have received assistance. These schemes aim at generating self-employment opportunities by extending financial aid and skill support. In addition, 260 individuals have benefited from the Entrepreneurship Development Programme (EDP) of KVIC, promoting Khadi and Village Industries in the Union Territory.
Stating that Entrepreneurship and Skill Development Programme (ESDP) has witnessed exponential growth in Ladakh, the Minister said, “while only one programme with 50 beneficiaries was conducted in 2022-23, the number soared to 28 programmes with 1,573 beneficiaries in 2024-25, bringing the total to 1,717 beneficiaries in just three years”.
“Since the inception of the Credit Guarantee Scheme for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) in 2000, Ladakh has recorded 2,348 credit guarantees, enabling funding of Rs 300.73 crore for MSEs without collateral or third-party guarantees”, the Minister said.
He added: “A significant initiative under the S&T Scheme of KVIC, the solar-powered wool processing cluster at Saspochey, Leh, is now operational. Being managed by the Mahatma Gandhi Institute for Rural Industrialization, the unit benefits over 20 local women artisans, enhancing value addition in Pashmina wool”.
The Lok Sabha was informed that the Procurement and Marketing Support (PMS) Scheme has also reached Ladakh with 80 beneficiaries availing assistance in 2024-25. However, uptake was negligible in previous years, indicating a need for deeper outreach.
About PM Vishwakarma Scheme, the Minister said that launched in September 2023, the PM Vishwakarma Yojana supports traditional artisans working with hand tools. In Ladakh, 6,462 applications were received via Common Service Centres (CSCs) and 4,184 artisans have been successfully registered and are now availing scheme benefits.
Moreover, the Centre for Rural Enterprise Acceleration through Technology (CREATE) has been established at the Handloom Department premises in Leh. It acts as a processing facility for converting dehaired Pashmina into Pashmina Roving thereby enhancing product quality and economic potential for traditional artisans.
In response to a question about impact assessment, the Minister said, “no specific impact assessment studies have been undertaken for the MSME schemes in Ladakh. However, the growing participation of women, focus on Pashmina, and traditional crafts under PM Vishwakarma reflect a blend of innovation and heritage in Ladakh’s entrepreneurial landscape”.
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