Finance Minister reviews inclusion schemes in Ladakh

Leh

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman visited Leh on Sunday as part of her four-day trip to Ladakh. She attended an exhibition featuring local handicrafts and handloom products made by Self Help Groups (SHGs) and local entrepreneurs. The Finance Minister met with artisans, women-led groups, and innovators who displayed traditional crafts and eco-friendly products.

Sitharaman praised their creativity and efforts in keeping Ladakh’s culture alive while creating job opportunities. She said this kind of work is important for both preserving heritage and improving rural lives. The event aligns with the government’s goal of inclusive development, supporting women and small businesses.

During her visit, she will also lead a credit outreach programme. The focus is to increase access to credit, which is key to promoting financial inclusion and regional growth. She is also set to meet members of the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) and other local officials. In addition, she will launch several development projects in the Union Territory.

Nationwide, the Modi government has helped over 10 crore women join nearly 91 lakh SHGs under the DAY-NRLM scheme. More than 52 crore loans worth ₹32.61 lakh crore have been approved under the PM Mudra Yojana. About 70% of these loans went to women, boosting their financial strength and equality.

Over the past nine years, women’s average Mudra loan rose to ₹62,679. Their savings also grew significantly. The IMF praised the scheme for increasing women-run businesses, now numbering over 2.8 million, and helping formalise jobs through credit access and supportive policies.