News & Announcement
Awareness programme on State and Central Government MSME schemes held at Duga, Pakyong
Pakyong, April 04 (IPR): As part of an ongoing district-wide initiative, a one-day awareness programme on State and Central Government Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) schemes under the Raising and Accelerating MSME Performance (RAMP) programme was held at the Community Hall, Duga Gram Prashasan Kendra, today.
The programme is being organised by the District Industries Centre (DIC), Pakyong, under the Commerce and Industries Department, Government of Sikkim, in collaboration with the Sikkim Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (SEED) Cell.
The primary objective of the programme is to create awareness on various State and Central Government MSME schemes being implemented by the department for existing and aspiring entrepreneurs.
The programme was graced by Officer on Special Duty to the MLA of the West Pendam constituency, Mr Bhanu Bhakta Pradhan, as the chief guest.
During his address, Mr Bhanu Bhakta Pradhan stated that entrepreneurship is yet to fully take root in the State, with scope for more individuals to engage in enterprise activities.
He noted that the SEED Cell was established under the vision of the Chief Minister to promote and strengthen entrepreneurship across Sikkim, and encouraged participants to take up entrepreneurial initiatives.
Emphasising that a job supports an individual while an enterprise sustains a family, he urged participants to focus on local resources and adopt value addition to enhance income generation.
Further, Zilla Panchayat, Central Pendam, Mr Bibek Chettri, reiterated the Chief Minister’s vision of “One Family One Entrepreneur” and emphasised the need to encourage entrepreneurial initiatives at the household level.
He shared his business experience, stating that there may be instances of loss and that one should not expect immediate returns. He emphasised the importance of maintaining a positive mindset and taking ownership of one’s work. Addressing the younger generation, he encouraged them to consider entrepreneurship as a viable path and to make use of the schemes provided by the Government.
He further stated that a “Sunaulo Sikkim” can be realised if people across the State become entrepreneurs and contribute towards economic development.
In his keynote address, Organisational Secretary of the SEED Cell, Mr Tashi Ongdup Lepcha, stated that the primary focus of the Cell is to promote and strengthen local entrepreneurship and to bridge the gap between the Government and entrepreneurs.
He elaborated on its working mechanisms, including efforts to build skills and capacities among individuals and groups, and outlined various activities undertaken to support entrepreneurs across the State.
Reiterating the vision of the Chief Minister and the motto of the SEED Cell, “One Family One Entrepreneur,” he emphasised the need to encourage at least one entrepreneurial initiative in every household to enhance self-reliance and income generation. He further underscored the importance of motivating the younger generation to explore entrepreneurship opportunities and stated that the Cell provides guidance and facilitation support.
He also spoke on various State and Central Government MSME schemes aimed at promoting new enterprises and strengthening existing units.
A series of technical presentations was delivered during the programme, covering multiple schemes and digital platforms.
A presentation on RAMP, PM Vishwakarma and (Uttar Poorva Transformative Industrialisation Scheme), UNNATI, 2024 was delivered by Inspector, DIC Pakyong, Mr Jikmee Lepcha.
The RAMP programme aims to improve MSME performance in India by strengthening capabilities through focused interventions in market access, financing, and competitiveness.
He also apprised the participants of the PM Vishwakarma scheme, stating that it covers various traditional trades such as tailoring, cobbling, sculpting, goldsmithing, and blacksmithing, and provides support for capacity building along with collateral-free loans. He outlined its benefits, eligibility criteria, and the documentation required for availing the scheme.
Further, he highlighted the UNNATI 2024, a Central Sector Scheme aimed at industrial development and employment generation in the North Eastern Region, contributing to socio-economic growth. He outlined the eligible sectors, key components of the scheme, categorisation of districts into two zones, and explained the registration process along with the required documents.
A brief overview of the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) and the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal was delivered by Inspector, DIC Pakyong, Ms Hemlata Subba.
She explained the objectives of ONDC, the onboarding process and required documents, and shared examples of sellers from Sikkim who have onboarded on the platform. She also outlined the purpose and registration process of the GeM portal for government procurement. Additionally, she briefed participants on onboarding products on e-commerce platforms such as Amazon and Flipkart, covering product listing, pricing, logistics and compliance requirements.
Further, an overview on the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), a credit-linked subsidy scheme, outlining its objectives, eligibility criteria and application procedure, was delivered by staff, DIC Pakyong, Mr Dilip Ruchal.
He detailed the range of eligible activities under the scheme, including service, manufacturing and animal husbandry sectors, and also clarified the categories of ineligible activities.
A presentation on Udyam and FSSAI registration was delivered by staff from DIC, Pakyong, Ms Prerna Pradhan.
She explained the importance of Udyam registration for MSMEs in availing government benefits and subsidies. The session also covered the procedure for obtaining FSSAI registration for food-based enterprises, licensing categories and compliance norms.
An interactive session followed the presentations, during which participants raised queries regarding the schemes.
The programme had the presence of Panchayat President, Central Pendam GPU, Ms Goma Devi Dhakal; Panchayat members of Central Pendam GPU; General Manager, District Industries Centre, Pakyong, Mr Jigmee W Bhutia; District Coordinator, SEED Cell, Mr Kaushal Lamichaney; officials from SEED Cell; Self Help Group members, aspiring entrepreneurs and members of the public.
The programme is being organised by the District Industries Centre (DIC), Pakyong, under the Commerce and Industries Department, Government of Sikkim, in collaboration with the Sikkim Entrepreneurship and Economic Development (SEED) Cell.
The primary objective of the programme is to create awareness on various State and Central Government MSME schemes being implemented by the department for existing and aspiring entrepreneurs.
The programme was graced by Officer on Special Duty to the MLA of the West Pendam constituency, Mr Bhanu Bhakta Pradhan, as the chief guest.
During his address, Mr Bhanu Bhakta Pradhan stated that entrepreneurship is yet to fully take root in the State, with scope for more individuals to engage in enterprise activities.
He noted that the SEED Cell was established under the vision of the Chief Minister to promote and strengthen entrepreneurship across Sikkim, and encouraged participants to take up entrepreneurial initiatives.
Emphasising that a job supports an individual while an enterprise sustains a family, he urged participants to focus on local resources and adopt value addition to enhance income generation.
Further, Zilla Panchayat, Central Pendam, Mr Bibek Chettri, reiterated the Chief Minister’s vision of “One Family One Entrepreneur” and emphasised the need to encourage entrepreneurial initiatives at the household level.
He shared his business experience, stating that there may be instances of loss and that one should not expect immediate returns. He emphasised the importance of maintaining a positive mindset and taking ownership of one’s work. Addressing the younger generation, he encouraged them to consider entrepreneurship as a viable path and to make use of the schemes provided by the Government.
He further stated that a “Sunaulo Sikkim” can be realised if people across the State become entrepreneurs and contribute towards economic development.
In his keynote address, Organisational Secretary of the SEED Cell, Mr Tashi Ongdup Lepcha, stated that the primary focus of the Cell is to promote and strengthen local entrepreneurship and to bridge the gap between the Government and entrepreneurs.
He elaborated on its working mechanisms, including efforts to build skills and capacities among individuals and groups, and outlined various activities undertaken to support entrepreneurs across the State.
Reiterating the vision of the Chief Minister and the motto of the SEED Cell, “One Family One Entrepreneur,” he emphasised the need to encourage at least one entrepreneurial initiative in every household to enhance self-reliance and income generation. He further underscored the importance of motivating the younger generation to explore entrepreneurship opportunities and stated that the Cell provides guidance and facilitation support.
He also spoke on various State and Central Government MSME schemes aimed at promoting new enterprises and strengthening existing units.
A series of technical presentations was delivered during the programme, covering multiple schemes and digital platforms.
A presentation on RAMP, PM Vishwakarma and (Uttar Poorva Transformative Industrialisation Scheme), UNNATI, 2024 was delivered by Inspector, DIC Pakyong, Mr Jikmee Lepcha.
The RAMP programme aims to improve MSME performance in India by strengthening capabilities through focused interventions in market access, financing, and competitiveness.
He also apprised the participants of the PM Vishwakarma scheme, stating that it covers various traditional trades such as tailoring, cobbling, sculpting, goldsmithing, and blacksmithing, and provides support for capacity building along with collateral-free loans. He outlined its benefits, eligibility criteria, and the documentation required for availing the scheme.
Further, he highlighted the UNNATI 2024, a Central Sector Scheme aimed at industrial development and employment generation in the North Eastern Region, contributing to socio-economic growth. He outlined the eligible sectors, key components of the scheme, categorisation of districts into two zones, and explained the registration process along with the required documents.
A brief overview of the Open Network for Digital Commerce (ONDC) and the Government e-Marketplace (GeM) portal was delivered by Inspector, DIC Pakyong, Ms Hemlata Subba.
She explained the objectives of ONDC, the onboarding process and required documents, and shared examples of sellers from Sikkim who have onboarded on the platform. She also outlined the purpose and registration process of the GeM portal for government procurement. Additionally, she briefed participants on onboarding products on e-commerce platforms such as Amazon and Flipkart, covering product listing, pricing, logistics and compliance requirements.
Further, an overview on the Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), a credit-linked subsidy scheme, outlining its objectives, eligibility criteria and application procedure, was delivered by staff, DIC Pakyong, Mr Dilip Ruchal.
He detailed the range of eligible activities under the scheme, including service, manufacturing and animal husbandry sectors, and also clarified the categories of ineligible activities.
A presentation on Udyam and FSSAI registration was delivered by staff from DIC, Pakyong, Ms Prerna Pradhan.
She explained the importance of Udyam registration for MSMEs in availing government benefits and subsidies. The session also covered the procedure for obtaining FSSAI registration for food-based enterprises, licensing categories and compliance norms.
An interactive session followed the presentations, during which participants raised queries regarding the schemes.
The programme had the presence of Panchayat President, Central Pendam GPU, Ms Goma Devi Dhakal; Panchayat members of Central Pendam GPU; General Manager, District Industries Centre, Pakyong, Mr Jigmee W Bhutia; District Coordinator, SEED Cell, Mr Kaushal Lamichaney; officials from SEED Cell; Self Help Group members, aspiring entrepreneurs and members of the public.
