News & Announcement
One Day Awareness Workshop on MSME Schemes at Rey Mendu and Ranka
Gangtok, March 05 (IPR): The District Industries Centre, Gangtok, under the Commerce and Industries Department, Government of Sikkim, in collaboration with the Sikkim Entrepreneurship and Economic Development Cell (SEED Cell), organised a one-day awareness programme on various Central and State Government MSME Schemes at Rey Mendu, GPK Hall, and Ranka, GPK Hall, today.
The workshop was graced by OSD to MLA, Martam Rumtek Constituency, Mr Jeewan Subba, at Rey Mendu, and OSD to MLA, Burtuk Constituency, Mr Rohit Neopaney, at Ranka, respectively, as the Chief Guests.
Mr Jeewan Subba, in his address, expressed his appreciation to the Commerce and Industries Department and the organising team for successfully conducting the programme.
He noted that the workshop was highly insightful and emphasised the importance of such initiatives in nurturing entrepreneurial thinking and creating awareness about emerging business opportunities. Encouraging the participants, he urged budding entrepreneurs to move forward with confidence, innovation, and determination to build sustainable enterprises and contribute meaningfully to economic growth.
Similarly, Mr Rohit Neopaney appreciated the informative programme and noted that it provided valuable insights into various government schemes and opportunities.
Earlier, the welcome address was delivered by the Organisation Secretary, SEED Cell, Mr Tashi Ongdup Lepcha.
OSD, Commerce and Industries Department, and General Secretary, SEED Cell, Mr Dipen Subba, in his keynote address, put forth the programme as an aim to create a supportive ecosystem for unemployed youths, aspiring entrepreneurs, and existing entrepreneurs by facilitating access to government resources, funding opportunities, online marketing platforms, and expert guidance to help them realise their business and career aspirations.
During the session, Deputy Director, DIC Gangtok, Mr Janak Chettri highlighted the importance of supporting aspiring entrepreneurs in the field of business and guiding them on how to develop and implement business ideas effectively. He informed participants that institutions such as BIC and CSL are committed to providing the necessary support, guidance, and resources required to start and grow enterprises.
Encouraging the participants, he urged those with business ideas or entrepreneurial aspirations to come forward, seek guidance, and make use of the various schemes and initiatives introduced by the government to promote entrepreneurship and strengthen the local business ecosystem.
Inspector, DIC Gangtok, Mr Norden Tamang delivered a brief presentation on Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), explaining the process related to loan utilisation and documentation.
Highlighting the subsidy component, he noted that beneficiaries are eligible for 35% subsidy in rural areas and 25% in urban areas, which is released after three years of loan repayment through the bank. This provision is particularly beneficial for entrepreneurs planning to establish businesses such as hotels and other enterprises.
Inspector, DIC Gangtok, Mr CM Chettri gave a presentation on UNNATI, focusing on the benefits of government schemes promoting entrepreneurship in Sikkim. He informed that districts such as Gangtok and Pakyong, being part of the industrially advanced belt, are eligible for 30% capital investment subsidy, along with 3% interest subsidy on bank loans for five years and 100% GST reimbursement on construction materials.
In other districts of the state, entrepreneurs may avail up to 50% capital investment subsidy and 5% interest subsidy, making these schemes highly beneficial for establishing and expanding businesses. Participants were encouraged to explore the Unnati portal and seek guidance from the concerned offices for registration and support.
A presentation was further delivered by Consultant RAMP, Commerce and Industries Department, Mr Prem Chettri, on PM Vishwakarma, ONDC, Udyam and PAN & GST.
He underscored that under this scheme, beneficiaries are provided with basic skill training for five to seven days, during which they receive a daily stipend of Rs 500 to support them while attending the training. The training is conducted at nearby centres so that artisans can easily participate and upgrade their skills.
In addition to the training allowance, beneficiaries are also provided with toolkit incentives of up to Rs 15,000, collateral-free loans of Rs 1 lakh in the first phase and Rs 2 lakh in the second phase, and incentives for adopting digital payment methods.
The scheme aims to enhance the livelihood of traditional workers such as carpenters, tailors, barbers, cobblers, potters, and other artisans by improving their skills, providing financial assistance, and helping them access better market opportunities.
Further, Legal Consultant, RAMP, Commerce and Industries Department, Ms Tanushree Thapa delivered a presentation on the Online Dispute Resolution Scheme (ODR), highlighting its role in addressing the issue of delayed payments faced by MSMEs. She explained that the ODR portal offers a technology-driven, transparent, and efficient platform for filing claims, submitting documents, and conducting hearings online, enabling faster and cost-effective dispute resolution.
She further noted that the initiative strengthens the MSME ecosystem by promoting timely payments, improving access to justice, and enhancing the ease of doing business for small and medium enterprises.
The workshop also featured an interactive session where budding entrepreneurs engaged with the resource persons and raised queries related to various schemes, business processes, and challenges faced while starting or managing enterprises.
The vote of thanks was proposed by District Joint Coordinator, SEED Cell, Gangtok, Mr Bikash Sharma.
The workshop was graced by OSD to MLA, Martam Rumtek Constituency, Mr Jeewan Subba, at Rey Mendu, and OSD to MLA, Burtuk Constituency, Mr Rohit Neopaney, at Ranka, respectively, as the Chief Guests.
Mr Jeewan Subba, in his address, expressed his appreciation to the Commerce and Industries Department and the organising team for successfully conducting the programme.
He noted that the workshop was highly insightful and emphasised the importance of such initiatives in nurturing entrepreneurial thinking and creating awareness about emerging business opportunities. Encouraging the participants, he urged budding entrepreneurs to move forward with confidence, innovation, and determination to build sustainable enterprises and contribute meaningfully to economic growth.
Similarly, Mr Rohit Neopaney appreciated the informative programme and noted that it provided valuable insights into various government schemes and opportunities.
Earlier, the welcome address was delivered by the Organisation Secretary, SEED Cell, Mr Tashi Ongdup Lepcha.
OSD, Commerce and Industries Department, and General Secretary, SEED Cell, Mr Dipen Subba, in his keynote address, put forth the programme as an aim to create a supportive ecosystem for unemployed youths, aspiring entrepreneurs, and existing entrepreneurs by facilitating access to government resources, funding opportunities, online marketing platforms, and expert guidance to help them realise their business and career aspirations.
During the session, Deputy Director, DIC Gangtok, Mr Janak Chettri highlighted the importance of supporting aspiring entrepreneurs in the field of business and guiding them on how to develop and implement business ideas effectively. He informed participants that institutions such as BIC and CSL are committed to providing the necessary support, guidance, and resources required to start and grow enterprises.
Encouraging the participants, he urged those with business ideas or entrepreneurial aspirations to come forward, seek guidance, and make use of the various schemes and initiatives introduced by the government to promote entrepreneurship and strengthen the local business ecosystem.
Inspector, DIC Gangtok, Mr Norden Tamang delivered a brief presentation on Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP), explaining the process related to loan utilisation and documentation.
Highlighting the subsidy component, he noted that beneficiaries are eligible for 35% subsidy in rural areas and 25% in urban areas, which is released after three years of loan repayment through the bank. This provision is particularly beneficial for entrepreneurs planning to establish businesses such as hotels and other enterprises.
Inspector, DIC Gangtok, Mr CM Chettri gave a presentation on UNNATI, focusing on the benefits of government schemes promoting entrepreneurship in Sikkim. He informed that districts such as Gangtok and Pakyong, being part of the industrially advanced belt, are eligible for 30% capital investment subsidy, along with 3% interest subsidy on bank loans for five years and 100% GST reimbursement on construction materials.
In other districts of the state, entrepreneurs may avail up to 50% capital investment subsidy and 5% interest subsidy, making these schemes highly beneficial for establishing and expanding businesses. Participants were encouraged to explore the Unnati portal and seek guidance from the concerned offices for registration and support.
A presentation was further delivered by Consultant RAMP, Commerce and Industries Department, Mr Prem Chettri, on PM Vishwakarma, ONDC, Udyam and PAN & GST.
He underscored that under this scheme, beneficiaries are provided with basic skill training for five to seven days, during which they receive a daily stipend of Rs 500 to support them while attending the training. The training is conducted at nearby centres so that artisans can easily participate and upgrade their skills.
In addition to the training allowance, beneficiaries are also provided with toolkit incentives of up to Rs 15,000, collateral-free loans of Rs 1 lakh in the first phase and Rs 2 lakh in the second phase, and incentives for adopting digital payment methods.
The scheme aims to enhance the livelihood of traditional workers such as carpenters, tailors, barbers, cobblers, potters, and other artisans by improving their skills, providing financial assistance, and helping them access better market opportunities.
Further, Legal Consultant, RAMP, Commerce and Industries Department, Ms Tanushree Thapa delivered a presentation on the Online Dispute Resolution Scheme (ODR), highlighting its role in addressing the issue of delayed payments faced by MSMEs. She explained that the ODR portal offers a technology-driven, transparent, and efficient platform for filing claims, submitting documents, and conducting hearings online, enabling faster and cost-effective dispute resolution.
She further noted that the initiative strengthens the MSME ecosystem by promoting timely payments, improving access to justice, and enhancing the ease of doing business for small and medium enterprises.
The workshop also featured an interactive session where budding entrepreneurs engaged with the resource persons and raised queries related to various schemes, business processes, and challenges faced while starting or managing enterprises.
The vote of thanks was proposed by District Joint Coordinator, SEED Cell, Gangtok, Mr Bikash Sharma.
