Sikkim Herald

Sikkim MSMEs are participating in 1st Expo Organic North East (Expo ONE), The Fascia of Organic Northeast which is being organised from 3rd to 5th February 2023 at College of Veterinary Science Playground, Khanapara, Guwahati. Temi Tea and Food Processing Entrepreneurs under the Prime Minister’s Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PMFME) Scheme are participating in the event through the assistance of PMFME Scheme, a centrally sponsored Scheme implemented by Commerce & Industries Department, Government of Sikkim.

The event is North East India’s biggest trade fair for showcasing organic and naturals. The event is hosted by Department of Agriculture Govt. of Assam and Organised by Sikkim State Cooperative Supply and Marketing Federation Ltd. (SIMFED).

Over 160 organic and natural brand stalls will display a wide range of organic food and non-food products. Fair includes exporters, retailers, Farmer Producer groups, organic input manufacturers, government agencies, and others.

Sikkim MSMEs will benefit from this event by interacting with large scale Buyers having tie up with large companies for regular supply of their produce and developing proper marketing channels. The expo will aid in wide publicity of Sikkim Organic products that are the key USP of Sikkim.

Gyalshing, Feb 3 (IPR): An awareness and token distribution programme of Agriculture Department, Government of Sikkim was held at Mahatma Srijunga Govt. Sr. Sec School, Bermiok, today.

The Minister, Agriculture, Horticulture and Animal Husbandry & Veterinary Services Shri Lok Nath Sharma graced the occasion as the chief guest in the special presence of the Advisor, AH&VS Shri Durga Prashad Pradhan.
The distribution programme, held under the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana (Micro Irrigation), also had the presence of Zilla Panchayats, Panchayats, Joint Director (Agriculture) Gyalshing, Shri Yogesh Sharma, officials and others.

The Minister Shri Sharma handed over sintex tank and agricultural equipments and accessories to a total of two hundred and thirty five beneficiaries from Yangsum, Chingthang, Pechrek Heepatal under Hee Martam Block Administrative Centre.

The Minister, in his address, congratulated the beneficiaries and stated that the tank were distributed solely for agricultural farming and urged them to utilise judiciously for the said purpose.

He mentioned that the state government has accomplished exemplary work for the benefit of the farming community in terms of token distribution, launching of financial incentives, implementation of various welfare schemes etc. He also articulated an inspiring journey of the progressive farmer Shri Tula Ram Upreti whose name has been announced for the prestigious Padmashri award and underlined importance and huge scope of sustainable profession of agriculturists. He directed officials and all concerned to follow implementing guidelines based on the performance of farmers in the field to meet up the objectives of disbursing production incentives. He also recalled the developmental works witnessed by the people in the constituency and the state for last three and half years under the able leadership of the Chief Minister Shri PS Tamang (Golay).

Pakyong, February 03 ( IPR): District Level One-Day Awareness and Sensitization Programme on ‘Transgender Persons (Protection of Rights) Act 2019’, Rule 2020, was organized today by the Social Justice and Welfare Department, Government of Sikkim, Transgender Protection Cell (Pakyong), in collaboration with Equity Cell, IQAC cell- Sikkim Government College Rhenock,and Rainbow Hills Welfare Association (NGO) at Rhenock Government College.

The program seeks to recognise the identity of transgenders and prohibit discrimination in the fields of education, employment, healthcare, holding or disposing of property, holding public or private office and access to and use of public services and benefits.

The primary objective of the program was to promote Transgender Rights and Visibility in the State so that Transgender Persons can avail the benefits offered by various Government Provisions in the State.

Schemes such as Support for Marginalised Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise (SMILE) and National Transgender Portal were discussed at length.

The program had the presence of the SDPO Rongli, SHO, Principal Government College, Rhenock, Social Welfare Officer, AD Rhenock and Resource Person from Rainbow Hills Welfare Association along with faculty and students of the Government College Rhenock.

Gangtok, Feb 3 (IPR): Chief Secretary Shri V.B. Pathak chaired a meeting today to review the preparations for the upcoming Business 20 and Startup 20 to be held in Sikkim as a part of India’s G20 Presidency. The State of Sikkim will host the delegates of the G20 nations for the B20 and Startup 20 from 15th to 20th March, 2023.

The meeting was held in the conference hall of Tashiling Secretariat and had the presence of DGP, Heads of Department, District Collectors, senior officers of various line departments, officers of the Army, BSNL, NHIDCL, and Airports Authority of India.

The Chief Secretary reviewed the activities being carried out by each department as a follow up of the directives issued in the previous meetings. As per the agenda of the meeting, activities outlined for each department were discussed in detail and timelines were set for accomplishment of the same.

It was confirmed that the B20 will be held on 16th March and the Startup 20 on 18th and 19th March, 2023. Around 80 delegates from G20 nations would be participating in each of the sessions. The State Government is working in coordination with the G20 Secretariat to make the events a success.

Namchi, 3rd February: The second day of the Technology week at Namthang witnessed the presence of Joint Director ICAR Sikkim Centre Dr. Ram Gopal Laha as the Chief Guest of the programme, the Guest of Honour as Shri. Sanjay Kumar Gupta General Manager NABARD Regional Office and Special Guest as Assistant General Manager NABARD Shri. Rupen Lamichaney. The programme had the active participation of progressive farmers, CEO, Presidents, BODs of Farmers Producer Organization of Dong, Passi, Tokal Bermiok, Rong Bul and OFPO-Chuba.

At the outset of the programme the Chief Guest and the dignitaries visited the stalls put up by the FPO’s, SHG’s, craftsmen and bee keepers promoted and supported by KVK, technology showcasing stalls by Dept. of AH&VS, Soil Testing Lab Namthang. The inauguration of the programme began with the lighting of the lamps by the Chief Guest and the dignitaries followed by the address of Senior Scientist and Head Shri. I. P. Shivakoti stating the aims and objectives of the programme held with the theme to promote Natural Farming. He also highlighted on the works done by the Kendra. The resource persons in the technical session were Audit Officer Cooperation Dept. Shri. Hari Chettri who addressed on audit and management by the Cooperative Societies, Cooperative Inspector Cooperation Dept Shri. Siddhant Rai delivered his lecture on the management and working of the Cooperative Societies, Dr. Gana Ranjit Gurung Veterinary Officer Sikkim Milk Union spoke on the Dairy Cooperatives, Smt. Smrita Mech Branch Manager SBI Namthang lectured on the different products/schemes for FPO’s through SBI through credit linkage programmes.

A farmers scientist interaction session was also held after which the FPO of Tokal Bermiok was felicitated as the best performing FPO. The exhibitors were also awarded with the certificate of participation. Shri. Sanjay Kumar Gupta General Manager NABARD addressed the different FPO’s to strengthen their Cooperative Societies and work in tandem with KVK and NABARD to achieve the aim of FPO to establish themselves as a successful business entity. The Chief guest of the Programme Joint Director ICAR Sikkim Centre Dr. Ram Gopal Laha expressed his profound appreciation and congratulated KVK Namthang for being a model centre. He also motivated the FPO’s to enhance their products for market-oriented supply. The programme ended with the hands on method demonstration of the On Farm Input production of bio-stimulants under Natural Farming at KVK farm by Dr. Pravesh Shivakoty Subject Matter Specialist and Tshering D. Tamang Farm Manager KVK.

(Press Release from KVK, Namthang)

Gangtok, February 3 ( IPR): Two days Vendor Development Programme organised by MSME-DFO (Development and Facilitation Office), Ministry of MSME, Government of India, in association with Commerce and Industries Department, MSME, Government of Sikkim, concluded today at the Seminar Hall of Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, Government of Sikkim.

The programme is organised under the Procurement and Marketing Support (PMS) Scheme which aims to highlight the Public Procurement Policy that directs all the Central Ministries, Government Departments, State PSUs and CPSEs to set an annual target of 25 percentile procurement from the MSME sector. It also aims to promote and develop the micro and small enterprises by supporting them to market their produce and services.

Present for the day were Mr. M. Ravi Kumar, Director, MSME, Commerce and Industries Department, Officers and staff members of MSME, Commerce and Industries Department, Government of Sikkim, Officials from MSME-DFO Department, Government of India.
Attendees in the programme also included Officials from Information and Public Relations Department, Animal Husbandry Department, Urban Development Department, Agriculture Department, NHPC, BSNL, SEED Cell, SHGs and Entrepreneurs.

Mr. M. Ravi Kumar, Director, MSME, while addressing the gathering gave a short history and description about import and export procedures of the Temi Tea Estate. He assured that the Department will help aspiring entrepreneurs for the marketing of their products and services.
The Director also had an interactive session with the participants where he answered to queries related with starting of new business ventures and collaborating efficient marketing strategies to develop their business.

Mr. Nirmal Chowdhury, Assistant Director, MSME-DFO, gave the welcome speech where he welcomed all the participants present for the day. He also went on to give a brief summary of the sessions that were conducted the day before, and urged everyone to make the best use of the programme and utilise the schemes efficiently to their advantage.

Mr. Chowdhury also talked about the procurement process of loans from the Central and State government and the return policies of the loan taken. Later he explained the process of how one can register at Udyam/ZED and GeM government portals and generate certificates for their business.

Mr. A. K. Tamaria, Joint Director, MSME-DFO, briefed the gathering about the marketing and financial support that are provided to entrepreneurs through various schemes. He also spoke about the importance of Udyam and GeM registrations and how one can take benefits of the Central and State Government schemes such as SYSS, PMEGP, PM FME and Cluster Development Schemes.

The programme also saw an interactive session where the participants had an interaction regarding their entrepreneual experiences and about what they actually gained from the programme.