GOVERNOR FOCUSED ON POVERTY ELEVATION

Gangtok, November 28: Indian Council of Small Industries and Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Institute (Sikkim), Government of India organized one day seminar on Capacity of Village and Small Enterprise Sector as Engine of Growth for Development of Sikkim. The objectives of ICSI is to enhance the contribution of the small scale in tiny and rural industries sector towards the growth and development of Indian Economy and also to create spirit of self employment among the youth. The seminar was inaugurated by the Governor of Sikkim, Sudarshan Agarwal at a function held at the conference hall of Forest Department, on 27th November 2007. In his inaugural speech, the Governor said that he was very much concerned to empower the ordinary people of Sikkim and alleviate them from poverty. 

He mentioned that the VSE sector has the second largest share of employment after agriculture and it spans a wide range, including small scale, Khadi and Village and Coir industries, Handlooms, Handicraft, Sericulture, wool, Power looms, Food processing and other Agro and Rural industries segments. Agarwal advised ICSI to undertake studies for mechanism for developing small Industrial units in two backward district of Sikkim and also to undertake diagnostic study for revival of sick units. He said that the villagers of Sikkim have potential to bring changes in the state and he hoped that they would come forward to accept the establishment of these industries. He urged the state govt. to render all out assistance to the Council of Small Industries. 

S.B.Subedi, Minister for Forest Environment and Wild Life Management said that the state government had given preference to the small and tiny village cottage industries without disturbing the fragile ecological system. He said "we have got enough natural resources and people's strategic and resources. We are therefore to look inside and also to look for avenues to provide livelihood to all, particularly of youth's Livelihood. This requires to impart employ-ability to skill development, i.e development of employability skill of our youths who are educate, skilled in spoken English and as such information technology related ventures will help them to start. We are to keep our youths much above the level of frustration." 

The programme was also addressed by K.Jayakumar, Vice Chancellor SMU&TS, Izzatullah, Director MSMED Govt. of India. Secretary Industries and Commerce and Industries department and Officials from Industries Department and other resource personnel were present in the programme.