The Finance Minister, who reached Leh on Saturday, held a meeting with the tourism stakeholders to discuss their issues. A delegation led by chairman of Leh Hill Council, Tashi Gyalson, met the Finance Minister and appraised her that there was a sharp decline in tourist arrival this year.
The delegation stated that following the Pahalgam terror attack on April 22, the number of tourists coming to the UT is negligible as compared to previous years. The delegation requested special relief for tourism and allied sectors. This includes rescheduling of existing bank loans, extension of moratorium periods, and recognition of tourism as a distressed sector.
Meanwhile, Nirmala Sitharaman also met Ladakh L-G Brig BD Mishra (retd) and discussed about various issued concerning the local communities.
“The Minister virtually inaugurated several development projects in Leh, reaffirming the commitment of the Union Government to inclusive growth and infrastructure development in Ladakh. The Union Finance Minister also interacted with the officials of the UT administration,” an official informed.