Lok Sabha Question No. 2865 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-17
Subject: Budget Allocation for Minority Welfare Schemes in Ladakh
Ministry: MINORITY AFFAIRS
Asked by: Shri Mohmad Haneefa

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2865

ANSWERED ON 17.12.2025

## BUDGET ALLOCATION FOR MINORITY WELFARE SCHEMES IN LADAKH

2865. SHRI MOHMAD HANEEFA:

Will the Minister of MINORITY AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the annual budget allocated and actually spent for minority welfare schemes in the Union  Territory  of  Ladakh  during  each  of  the  last  three  financial  years  including  education,  skill development, handicrafts and livelihood-related programmes;
- (b) whether the Government has taken note that the present allocation for Ladakh is insufficient to meet  the  needs  of  minority  communities  particularly  students,  artisans,  small  traders  and  local entrepreneurs operating in remote areas and if so, the details thereof;
- (c)  whether  the  Government  proposes  to  increase  Grants-in-Aid  and  introduce  special  financial packages for Ladakh focusing on education support, artisan development, marketing assistance and trade facilitation and if so, the details thereof; and
- (d)  whether  the  Government  is  planning  to  consider  organising  dedicated  exhibitions,  loanmela awareness  camps  and  market-linkage  initiatives  at  regional  and  national  platforms  to  promote Ladakh's minority artisan products and enhance access to credit and marketing opportunities for local entrepreneurs and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

## (SHRI KIREN RIJIJU)

- (a) to (d):  Ministry of Minority Affairs implements various schemes across the country for socioeconomic  and  educational  empowerment  of  the  six  (6)  centrally  notified  minority  communities. These schemes give representation to all weaker segments of society including minorities.

Ministry of Minority Affairs allocate fund scheme-wise not state-wise.  However, Ministry of Minority  Affairs  is  implementing  Pradhan  Mantri  Jan  Vikas  Karyakram  (PMJVK)  which  is  a Centrally  Sponsored  Scheme  of  the  Ministry  of  Minority  Affairs  for  creation  of  community infrastructure in the Minority Concentration Areas across the country in the sectors viz. Health, Skill Development, Education, Women  Centric Projects, Drinking Water and Sanitation, Sports, Renewable energy, Tourism, Animal Husbandry and Other Community Infrastructure.

PMJVK being a demand-driven scheme, States/UTs-wise budget allocation is not made under the scheme.  However, the details of funds released to UT of Ladakh during the last three year are as under:

(Rs. in Crore)

| Financial Year   | Fund Released   |
|------------------|-----------------|
| 2022-23          | -               |
| 2023-24          | 3.06            |
| 2024-25          | 12.92           |

Ministry of Minority Affairs is  also  implementing Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM  VIKAS)  scheme.  Pradhan  Mantri  Virasat  Ka  Samvardhan  (PM  VIKAS)  is  a  Central  Sector Scheme  focusing  on  the  socio-economic  empowerment  of  six  notified  minorities  through  skill development; entrepreneurship among minority women; and education support for school dropouts across  the  country,  including  the  Union  Territory  of  Ladakh.  Under  the  scheme,  the  projects  are implemented at a pan-India level and therefore, no funds are allocated to States/UTs.

- i. The scheme guidelines were approved in January 2025, accordingly, the process to allocate projects under the scheme was initiated thereafter. So far, a target of 1.40 lakh beneficiaries has been allocated to 42 Project Implementing Agencies (as on date). Under PM VIKAS, allocation of targets commenced only recently, therefore, no expenditure could be made under PM VIKAS during last three financial years (FY 2022-23, FY 2023-24 & FY 2024-25).
- ii. The Ministry is currently inviting proposals through Central Government Ministries/Departments and State/ UT governments from eligible agencies under the Scheme for a pan-India implementation including proposals from Union Territory of Ladakh. Currently, no such proposals have been received from the Union Territory of Ladakh for implementation under the PM VIKAS scheme.
- iii. The  Ministry  organises  'Lok  Samvardhan  Parvs'  to  provide  artisans  with  a  unique opportunity to showcase their indigenous arts, crafts, and rich cultural heritage. The event has been designed not only to promote the traditions of minority communities but also to foster an innovative and  entrepreneurial  environment  for  artisans.  The  Ministry  also  leverages  the  platform  to  create awareness about its schemes and facilitate credit linkages through National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC), a PSU under the Ministry. The Ministry has so far organized 5 Lok Samvardhan Parvs wherein artisans/ craftspersons from across the States/UTs have participated, including the Union Territory of Ladakh.

The  National  Minorities  Development  &  Finance  Corporation  (NMDFC)  implements schemes  aimed  at  the  socioeconomic  development  of  'backward  sections'  among  the  notified minority  communities  by  extending  concessional  loans  for  self-employment  income  generation ventures across the country.  The schemes of NMDFC are implemented through State Channelizing Agencies (SCAs) nominated by respective State Govt./ UT Administration. In 2024-2025, the UT Government of Ladakh has nominated SINDHU Infrastructure Development Corporation (SIDCO) as the SCA to implement NMDFC Schemes in Ladakh.

For the financial years 2024 -25 and 2025 -26, NMDFC has al located ₹10 crore each year, for implementing its schemes in Ladakh. Against these allocations, ₹1 crore was drawn in FY 202425, while ₹4.19 crore has been drawn during current financial year. Further, any request for enhancement will be considered, in accordance with scheme guidelines of NMDFC and availability of funds.

Under the Marketing Scheme of NMDFC, grant is given to respective SCAs for organizing exhibitions.  These  exhibitions  showcase  handcrafted  products  made  by  artisans,  facilitate  buyerseller interactions, and help artisans to access better marketing and sales opportunities.  Each year at least one marketing exhibition is allocated to each State Channelizing Agency.

In  order  to  generate  publicity  of  NMDFC  schemes,  SCAs  are  encouraged  to  organize awareness  camps  in  minority  concentrated  areas.  10  such  awareness  camps  are  allocated  to  each SCA, during a financial year. SIDCO has planned to organize Awareness camps & exhibition, during summer season.

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