Vice Chairman NITI Aayog chairs meeting on Development Challenges and Priorities of Ladakh.

Vice Chairman NITI Aayog chairs meeting on Development Challenges and Priorities of Ladakh.
Leh, August 29, 2026: Vice Chairman, NITI Aayog, Dr Ashok K. Lahiri, today chaired a meeting with Chief Secretary and Administrative Secretaries of the Union Territory of Ladakh to review the UT’s economic development priorities, ongoing projects and key challenges in infrastructure, connectivity, education, tourism, energy, water and employment.
At the outset, Chief Secretary, UT Ladakh, Ashish Kundra, made a detailed presentation covering the macroeconomic position, budget allocations since 2020-21, revenue mobilisation, expenditure trends, tax and non-tax revenues, UT GST, power-sector finances and the widening gap between revenue collection and expenditure. He also highlighted the major financial and economic challenges facing the UT, along with sector-wise GSDP, GSVA and employment trends.
The meeting discussed the infrastructure gap, particularly in energy and connectivity, and reviewed major ongoing and proposed initiatives, including the Revamped Distribution Sector Scheme (RDSS), power transmission projects, road connectivity, the new domestic airport terminal, 4G connectivity and other major infrastructure projects. Secretary, Power, Himanshu Gupta, briefed the meeting on ongoing works to connect remote areas and highlighted Ladakh’s vast potential for solar and renewable energy.
Tourism emerged as a major area of economic opportunity, with discussions focusing on astro-tourism, winter tourism and Buddhist and cultural tourism. The need to improve connectivity and develop a more vibrant and diversified tourism model was emphasised.
The potential of Ladakh’s key local products, including seabuckthorn, apricot and pashmina, was also discussed. The Chief Secretary highlighted the need for modern processing facilities, value addition, branding and stronger marketing linkages. Dr Lahiri emphasised the importance of strengthening the entire pashmina value chain while preserving traditional hand-spinning and craftsmanship and appropriately adopting modern technology and machinery.
Secretary, School Education, Bhanu Prabha, briefed the meeting on government and private schools, student enrolment, teacher availability, hostels and key challenges in the education sector. The meeting noted the remarkable improvement in Ladakh’s CBSE examination performance. Dr Lahiri emphasised the need to strengthen school infrastructure, address dropouts and hostel requirements, and give greater focus to STEM education, foundational literacy and numeracy and skill development, particularly for students from remote and disadvantaged areas. Water security was identified as a fundamental priority.
Dr Lahiri stressed that reliable drinking-water supply is a basic necessity and emphasised the importance of the Jal Jeevan Mission. The Chief Secretary informed the meeting that 99.5 per cent coverage had been achieved under JJM in Ladakh. The meeting also discussed the AMRUT Mission, protection of water sources and plantation of suitable native species.
Dr Lahiri reviewed the power sector’s financial sustainability and sought measures to improve revenue realisation and efficiency, including the potential of net metering and decentralised renewable-energy generation. He also reviewed female labour-force participation and sought greater opportunities for women and youth.
The meeting discussed employment and entrepreneurship, with emphasis on developing viable enterprises in animal husbandry, sheep farming, poultry, hatcheries and other local sectors. The need for modern facilities, market linkages, viable business models and greater value addition was highlighted.
Chief Secretary Ashish Kundra requested NITI Aayog’s support for training and mentoring young entrepreneurs in Ladakh. Dr Lahiri said NITI Aayog would support strengthening the entrepreneurship and innovation ecosystem through initiatives such as the Atal Innovation Mission, including creation of a consolidated database of promising ideas and linking young entrepreneurs with experienced mentors from outside Ladakh.
The meeting also discussed strengthening Science, Technology and Innovation (STI) support for Ladakh and developing a clear roadmap with measurable milestones for economic and social development.
Dr Lahiri emphasised that Ladakh’s development strategy should focus on its unique strengths, including its natural resources, cultural heritage, human capital and renewable-energy potential, while ensuring environmental sustainability and generating sustainable livelihoods.
The meeting was attended by Chief Secretary, UT Ladakh, Ashish Kundra; Secretary, Planning, Himanshu Gupta; Secretary, Finance, Tsewang Tarchin; Secretary, School Education, Bhanu Prabha; Secretary, PWD, Naseer Haq Chaudhary; Consultant Secretary, Law, Tariq Mehmood; Secretary, Animal Husbandry, Dr P. Rudrea Goud; Secretary, Health, Lalinthang Khuma Franklin; Secretary, Food and Civil Supplies, Rahul Sharma; Secretary, Tourism, Sanjeet Rodrigues; Major General K. Narayanan, Senior Consultant and Programme Director, NITI Aayog, UT Ladakh; and Dr Darpajit Sengupta, Young Professional and Nodal Officer for Ladakh, NITI Aayog.