Examiner Bureau | Leh:
Vice Chairman of NITI Aayog Dr Ashok K. Lahiri on Saturday chaired a high-level meeting with senior officials of the Union Territory of Ladakh to assess its economic development priorities, ongoing projects and key challenges, with particular focus on infrastructure, connectivity, education, tourism, energy, water security and employment.
Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra made a detailed presentation on Ladakh’s economic and financial position, covering budget allocations since 2020-21, revenue mobilisation, expenditure patterns, tax and non-tax revenues, GST collections and the financial position of the power sector.
The meeting also examined the widening gap between revenue generation and expenditure, along with sector-wise trends in Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP), Gross State Value Added (GSVA) and employment.
Infrastructure and connectivity emerged as major areas of discussion. Officials reviewed projects under the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme, power transmission, road connectivity, the new domestic airport terminal and expansion of 4G services across the Union Territory.
Secretary Power Himanshu Gupta briefed the meeting on initiatives aimed at connecting remote areas and highlighted Ladakh’s considerable potential for solar and other renewable-energy resources.
Dr Lahiri stressed the need to leverage Ladakh’s unique geographical advantages while ensuring that infrastructure development remains environmentally sustainable.
Tourism was identified as one of the most promising sectors for diversifying Ladakh’s economy. Discussions focused on developing astro-tourism, winter tourism, Buddhist tourism and cultural tourism.
The meeting emphasised the need to improve connectivity and move towards a more diversified and sustainable tourism model that could generate employment while extending the benefits of tourism to remote communities.
Officials also discussed the potential of locally produced commodities, including seabuckthorn, apricots and pashmina. The meeting underlined the need for modern processing facilities, value addition, branding and stronger market linkages to increase the commercial potential of these products.
Dr Lahiri called for strengthening the entire pashmina value chain while preserving traditional hand-spinning techniques and craftsmanship and integrating modern technology wherever appropriate.
Education was another major area reviewed during the meeting. Secretary School Education Bhanu Prabha briefed the officials on government and private schools, enrolment levels, teacher availability, hostel facilities and challenges confronting the education sector.
The meeting noted the improvement in Ladakh’s performance in CBSE examinations. Dr Lahiri called for continued investment in school infrastructure, measures to address dropout and hostel-related challenges, and greater emphasis on STEM education, foundational literacy and numeracy and skill development.
He stressed that students from remote and disadvantaged areas should receive adequate educational opportunities and institutional support.
Water security also figured prominently in the deliberations. Dr Lahiri stressed the importance of ensuring reliable drinking-water supplies and effective implementation of the Jal Jeevan Mission in the Union Territory.
Officials informed the meeting that Ladakh had achieved 99.5 per cent coverage under the Jal Jeevan Mission. Discussions also covered the AMRUT Mission, protection of water sources and plantation of suitable native species to strengthen ecological resilience.
The financial sustainability of Ladakh’s power sector was also examined. Dr Lahiri called for improved revenue realisation and greater operational efficiency.
The potential of net metering and decentralised renewable-energy generation was discussed as part of a broader strategy to improve energy sustainability and reduce pressure on the power sector.
Given Ladakh’s high solar potential, officials also explored opportunities to expand renewable-energy generation while ensuring that projects remain compatible with the region’s fragile environment.
Female labour-force participation and the need to expand employment opportunities for women and young people were also discussed.
The meeting stressed the importance of developing viable enterprises in sectors such as animal husbandry, sheep farming, poultry and hatcheries, alongside other locally suitable economic activities.
Officials highlighted the need for modern facilities, reliable market linkages, sustainable business models and greater value addition to make these sectors more competitive and attractive to young entrepreneurs.
Chief Secretary Kundra sought NITI Aayog’s support for training and mentoring young entrepreneurs in Ladakh.
Dr Lahiri assured that NITI Aayog would support efforts to strengthen the region’s entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem through initiatives such as the Atal Innovation Mission. He also proposed developing a consolidated database of promising ideas and connecting young entrepreneurs from Ladakh with experienced mentors from outside the region.
The meeting also discussed strengthening Science, Technology and Innovation support for Ladakh and preparing a clear development roadmap with measurable milestones to monitor economic and social progress.
Dr Lahiri said Ladakh’s development strategy should build upon its distinctive strengths, including its natural resources, cultural heritage, human capital and renewable-energy potential, while maintaining a strong focus on environmental sustainability and sustainable livelihoods.
The deliberations brought together senior officials from planning, finance, school education, PWD, law, animal husbandry, health, food and civil supplies and tourism departments, besides senior officials from NITI Aayog.
The meeting is expected to provide further direction to Ladakh’s development strategy, with emphasis on economic diversification, sustainable infrastructure, local value addition, entrepreneurship and improved opportunities for women and youth.
