L-G Gupta launches loan drive to boost self-employment in Ladakh

The Sindhu Infrastructure Development Corporation (SIDCO), a public sector enterprise under the administration of the Union Territory of Ladakh, organised an inauguration and loan distribution ceremony, which was inaugurated by Lieutenant Governor Kavinder Gupta, who distributed sanction letters to the beneficiaries.

The programme commenced with a welcome address by Bhupesh Chaudhary, Managing Director, SIDCO, who outlined Corporation’s vision and journey since its establishment in 2021 under the Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Act. He highlighted that SIDCO was constituted to catalyse industrial and business growth in Ladakh by promoting entrepreneurship, generating employment and enabling access to finance for small and micro enterprises.

He informed that SIDCO has already sanctioned financial assistance to 137 beneficiaries—89 from Leh and 48 from Kargil districts—under its self-employment and entrepreneurship promotion schemes, with a total project outlay of Rs 16.17 crore. Earlier, ten beneficiaries—five each from Leh and Kargil—had also been supported under the initiative.

In his inaugural address, L-G Kavinder Gupta lauded SIDCO’s proactive steps in fostering entrepreneurship and local job creation. He emphasised that such micro-loan initiatives empower the people of Ladakh—particularly the youth and women—to become job creators rather than job seekers, contributing to a resilient and self-reliant economy.

Gupta distributed loan sanction letters ranging between Rs 10 lakh and Rs 20 lakh to the beneficiaries, supporting a wide range of livelihood projects including knitting and tailoring units, cleaning services, fish farming, wood carving workshops, cafés, mushroom cultivation, laboratory testing facilities, and CCTV businesses.

Gupta also appreciated the launch of the SIDCO Management Loan Portal, designed to promote transparency, accessibility and ease of doing business. He expressed confidence that the initiative would further strengthen Ladakh’s local enterprise ecosystem and promote inclusive economic growth.

The ceremony was attended by Leh Deputy Commissioner Romil Singh Dong, Additional Deputy Commissioner Sonam Norbo, and other senior officers from SIDCO and administration.