Deputy Commissioner (DC) Leh, Santosh Sukhadeve, reviewed the implementation of the Vishwakarma Scheme in Leh district on September 18 at the VC room of the DC office.

During the meeting, the General Manager of the District Industries Centre (DIC), Leh, presented an overview of the scheme's progress across various trades. It was reported that, at Stage I, a total of 2,059 applications were received, of which 1,925 were recommended. At Stage II, 1,925 applications were reviewed, with 1,923 being forwarded. By Stage III at the ministry level, 1,466 out of the 1,925 cases were recommended.

Additionally, 435 artisans have been trained in various trades under the scheme at different training centers. This includes 240 tailors, 88 basket makers, 73 carpenters, and 34 masons. Superintendent of ITI Leh, Thinles Nurboo, informed that while stipends were distributed to trained artisans, kits had not yet been provided. He noted that many artisans enroll but do not attend the training due to the busy summer work period.

Joint Director MSME, G. Velladurai, informed DC Leh that while other trades were being processed at the ministry level, tailors and masons were not yet visible in Stage III. A letter has been sent to the ministry at the secretary level to address the issue.

DC Leh stressed the need to complete pending cases and instructed the Block Development Officers (BDOs) and Panchayat Secretaries to finalize cases by the week's end. He also directed the DIC to increase publicity efforts for the scheme to attract more artisans. DC Sukhadeve emphasized the importance of significantly increasing the number of artisans enrolled in the scheme by the next meeting.

The meeting was attended by General Manager DIC Leh, Superintendent ITI Leh, Lead District Manager Tsering Wangmo, and other officials from various departments. Joint Director MSME G. Velladurai, DPO Leh Junaid Amin, and other officers participated through video conferencing.