Kargil, May 27 : Deputy Commissioner and Chief Executive Officer, Kargil, Rakesh Kumar on Tuesday said the district administration would extend full support to local entrepreneurs and emerging industrial units to strengthen sustainable employment generation and promote indigenous industries across Kargil district.
The remarks came during his inspection of several industrial units and startup ventures in Kurbathang and Chanigound areas of Kargil, where the Deputy Commissioner reviewed ongoing operations, interacted with entrepreneurs and assessed challenges faced by small-scale enterprises.
Emphasising the growing opportunities available after Ladakh attained Union Territory status, Kumar said institutional support mechanisms were being strengthened to help young entrepreneurs transform innovative ideas into viable business ventures and become employment providers.
During the visit to the Ladakh Carving Unit at Kurbathang, the Deputy Commissioner interacted with entrepreneurs Ahmad Ali and Abbas Ali, who have been working to preserve the region’s traditional wood carving craft through modern production techniques and technology-driven methods.
Appreciating their efforts to blend traditional artistry with contemporary market demands, Kumar observed that such initiatives not only preserve cultural heritage but also open avenues for sustainable livelihoods in the region.
The entrepreneurs informed the Deputy Commissioner that demand for their products had increased from different parts of Ladakh, including Nubra. They, however, sought timely release of subsidy components under the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme and requested land support to expand their operations.
Kumar later inspected the processing unit of Halman Apricot Kargil, where discussions centred on improving productivity and strengthening value addition in apricot-based products through technological intervention.
The unit owner sought technical assistance to modernise processing facilities and improve output capacity. The Deputy Commissioner advised the stakeholders to involve more farmers through cooperative societies to strengthen procurement networks and ensure wider participation in the supply chain.
The inspection tour also covered Zaidi Wood Carving and a mushroom cultivation unit at Chanigound, where Kumar encouraged entrepreneurs to continue exploring sustainable business models rooted in local resources and skills.
Officials accompanying the Deputy Commissioner said the administration was focused on creating an enabling ecosystem for local enterprises by facilitating access to government schemes, infrastructure support and market linkages.
Reiterating the administration’s commitment, Kumar assured entrepreneurs that efforts would continue to promote local industries and create employment opportunities for youth across Kargil district.
