Administrative Secretary Encourages SHGs to Scale up Enterprises, Strengthen Branding and Reach National Markets.

Administrative Secretary Encourages SHGs to Scale up Enterprises, Strengthen Branding and Reach National Markets.
Leh, June 22, 2026: Secretary Social & Tribal Affairs Department, UT Ladakh, Ms. Nidhi Malik, today undertook an extensive field visit to Chuchot and Thiksey to review the functioning of Self-Help Groups (SHGs), women-led enterprises, and livelihood initiatives being implemented under the Ladakh Rural Livelihood Mission (LRLM), National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM), and Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana (PMVDY).
As part of the visit, the Administrative Secretary inspected a Self-Help Group centre at Chuchot Shamma functioning under the Ladakh Rural Livelihood Mission. Representatives of various SHGs briefed her about their activities, membership strength, training programmes, and income-generating initiatives focused on embroidery, handicrafts, tailoring, and traditional Ladakhi products.
The SHG members showcased a diverse range of products including handbags, purses, traditional dresses, embroidered items, and other handicrafts developed through skill development programmes supported under NRLM. Ms. Malik reviewed the production processes, quality standards, marketing arrangements, and support mechanisms available to the groups. She interacted extensively with women entrepreneurs and discussed challenges related to market access, product diversification, and enterprise expansion.
Encouraging the women entrepreneurs to explore wider markets, the Administrative Secretary emphasized the importance of adopting digital marketing tools, social media platforms, and e-commerce channels to expand their customer base beyond Ladakh. She stressed that improving product presentation, branding, packaging, and innovation would enhance competitiveness and increase income opportunities for rural women.
The Administrative Secretary further visited a dairy-based SHG cluster where she interacted with women members engaged in milk production and allied livelihood activities. During the visit, she reviewed the functioning of the groups, milk collection systems, financial management practices, savings mechanisms, loan utilization, and bank credit linkages facilitated under NRLM.
The SHG members shared details of their livelihood activities, training requirements, challenges faced in enterprise development, and future expansion plans. Ms. Malik examined records maintained by the community institutions, including savings registers, loan records, meeting proceedings, and other financial documents. Appreciating the discipline and commitment demonstrated by the members, she assured them of continued support through capacity-building programmes, skill development initiatives, and livelihood promotion interventions.
She encouraged the groups to identify additional income-generating opportunities and effectively utilize available government schemes and financial support mechanisms to strengthen and scale up their enterprises.
During the visit, the Administrative Secretary also reviewed the functioning of the Van Dhan Vikas Kendra (VDVK) established under the Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana (PMVDY). She interacted with SHG members engaged in the production of leather-based products and other traditional craft items and assessed the support being provided in terms of skill development, production enhancement, and market access.
Emphasizing the need for continuous innovation and quality improvement, Ms. Malik encouraged artisans to participate in specialized training programmes and exposure visits to acquire advanced skills and modern production techniques. She observed that product diversification, professional cataloguing, improved branding, and strategic marketing would help create stronger market demand and generate better livelihood opportunities for rural artisans.
Later, the Administrative Secretary visited an SHG-operated sales outlet at Rambirpur Thiksey along the Leh-Manali Highway. She reviewed the range of locally manufactured products displayed for sale, including traditional garments, handicrafts, woollen products, household items, and other value-added products produced by SHGs.
She examined sales records, stock management systems, procurement practices, and financial documentation maintained by the groups. Stressing the importance of strengthening market access and customer outreach, Ms. Malik encouraged the SHGs to enhance branding efforts, improve product visibility, and leverage digital platforms for wider market penetration.
Reiterating the Administration’s commitment to empowering rural women and strengthening community institutions, the Administrative Secretary stated that women-led enterprises and Self-Help Groups play a crucial role in promoting inclusive growth, financial inclusion, and sustainable livelihood generation across rural Ladakh. She assured continued support through capacity building, entrepreneurship development, market linkages, and livelihood promotion initiatives.
The Administrative Secretary was accompanied by the Block Development Officer, Chuchot; District Panchayat Officer; local representatives; officials of the Rural Development Department; and other concerned officers during the visit.