Special Secretary, Cabinet Secretariat, Government of India, KK Pathak, who also heads the Centre’s Task Force on Deregulation and Compliance Reduction, chaired a stakeholder consultation meeting in Leh on July 24, alongside Chief Secretary of Ladakh, Dr. Pawan Kotwal. The meeting reviewed ongoing efforts to simplify regulations and promote ease of doing business in the Union Territory of Ladakh.

Principal Secretary, Industries & Commerce, Sanjeev Khirwar opened the session with an overview of Ladakh’s industrial landscape, highlighting key sectors such as tourism, food processing, pashmina production, and small-scale manufacturing. He noted the efforts since 2014 to streamline regulatory processes and make Ladakh more business-friendly. Khirwar also addressed regulatory hurdles and proposed reforms to support local entrepreneurs.

Stakeholders from various sectors presented their concerns and suggestions. The tourism industry sought support in recovering from a recent downturn linked to external incidents and emphasized the need for improved infrastructure. Manufacturers from Kargil raised issues related to industrial land, storage, and distribution. Food processing entrepreneurs requested help with customs clearances and land allocation for export facilities. The pashmina industry advocated for GI tagging and the establishment of testing laboratories in Ladakh.

Responding to these inputs, Dr. Kotwal reiterated the UT Administration’s commitment to local industry, emphasizing the importance of sustainable development tailored to Ladakh’s climate and geography. He also pointed out that Ladakhi industries operate within a short seasonal window due to harsh weather, necessitating intensive work during limited months.

In his closing remarks, KK Pathak acknowledged Ladakh’s unique challenges and praised the visible progress made over the years.

“Ladakh is unlike any other region. I’ve witnessed its positive transformation over several visits. The submissions today are valid and necessary—the administration stands firmly with you and is committed to addressing these concerns,” he said.

The second session focused on Deregulation and Compliance Reduction, including discussions on fire safety NOCs, building byelaws, and labour laws, based on the UT’s priority areas submitted to the Task Force.