Smt. Sitharaman reiterates commitment to inclusive financial growth and cultural preservation in Ladakh

Union Minister for Finance, Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman addressed a Credit Outreach Programme in Leh, Ladakh, underscoring the Government of India’s commitment to financial inclusion, last-mile delivery of credit, and the integration of Ladakh’s unique cultural identity into the broader developmental framework.

Speaking at the event, the Finance Minister stated that the Modi Government is committed to giving greater emphasis to smaller entrepreneurs. 

During the event, loan sanctions exceeding ₹5.13 crore were disbursed under key central schemes such as MUDRA, PMEGP, Stand-Up India, and PM Vishwakarma. Beneficiaries ranged from homestay owners and artisans to small-scale entrepreneurs, reflecting the government’s focus on micro-enterprise and self-employment.

Smt. Sitharaman highlighted that over 64,000 MUDRA loans and more than 600 Stand-Up India loans have been sanctioned in Ladakh, with a significant share in Leh district alone. Public Sector Banks have shown increased credit activity in the region, with total loan sanctions rising steadily over the last two financial years. 

The Minister commended the expansion of financial infrastructure in Ladakh, with over 500 banking touchpoints and increasing deployment of banking correspondents. 

She also stressed the need to anchor development in local identity, citing recent initiatives such as the recognition of local languages under the Ladakh Official Languages Regulation Act, the conferring of classical language status to Pali as most ancient Buddhist texts exist in the language, reflecting the region's rich heritage. 
 
The Minister also highlighted that the Union Government is committed to increasing the access to education in the region with the first-ever cluster university in the Ladakh region (University of Ladakh) was inaugurated in 2019 by Prime Minsiter Narendra Modi, and the Sindhu Central University has been established to provide quality higher education. Furthering the government’s commitment ot the preservation and promotion of local customs and traditions the Minister spoke of the National Institute of Sowa-Rigpa has also been set up to promote the Sowa-Rigpa system of medicine.

Additionally, she spoke of the government’s initiatives such as the removal of a decade long ban on the export and the GI tagging of Ladakh’sRaktsey Karpo Apricots followed by GI tags for Ladakh's Pashmina Wool, Shingskos (Wood Carving), and Seabuckthorn fruit products.

Smt. Sitharaman further outlined progress in infrastructure, digital connectivity, and renewable energy, including the BharatNet rollout, mobile network expansion, and green hydrogen projects.

Reaffirming the Centre’s vision for Ladakh, the Finance Minister underlined the need for cultural integration into livelihood and access to education while keeping mother tongue development as essential. 

The event brought together Public Sector Banks, NABARD, and financial institutions to deepen financial access, especially for the underserved sections, including Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, women entrepreneurs, and remote communities.

The event was graced by the esteemed presence of Shri Pawan Kotwal, Chief Secretary of the UT of Ladakh; Shri Haneefa Jan, the Member of Parliament (Lok Sabha) from the Ladakh region; and Shri Surender Rana, Deputy Managing Director of the State Bank of India.

Reaffirming the centre’s vision for Ladakh, the finance minister reiterated that financial growth must include cultural heritage.

Financial inclusion expanded through targeted credit outreach, increasing lending and access for micro entrepreneurs and underserved communities. The Government emphasises financial inclusion in Ladakh through a Credit Outreach Programme that disbursed loans under central schemes (MUDRA, PMEGP, Stand Up India, PM Vishwakarma) to homestay owners, artisans and small entrepreneurs, while mobilising public sector banks, NABARD and banking correspondents to expand lending, banking touchpoints and access to underserved groups including women and Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.