Member Parliament, Ladakh, Jamyang Tsering Namgyal along with CEC, Hill Council, Leh, Advocate Tashi Gyalson, and senior BJP leaders of UT Ladakh met Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs, Nirmala Sitharaman on December 11.

The delegation requested to waive loans of hoteliers, guest houses, resorts, homestays, restaurants, etc., and also to waive loan interest of the business community as thousands of individuals and families dependent on tourism directly or indirectly and other business community is affected badly due to COVID-19 pandemic. They informed the minister that the tourism sector of Ladakh has dealt a heavy blow which is the backbone of Ladakh’s economy due to the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdown.

The Finance Minister was also requested to implement all Central Sponsored Schemes including incentive schemes of the Government of Indian in the Union Territory of Ladakh for the overall development of the region. They also requested to retain the funds of Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council, Leh, and Kargil as non-lapsable including the budget of UT Ladakh considering the short working season and tough geo-climatic constraints of the region. 

Nirmala Sitharaman assured the delegation to give due consideration to all the genuine demands of the Union Territory of Ladakh from the Government of India.