Currently, politicians from various political outfits
addressing employment concerns in Sikkim need to clarify their past
contributions to entrepreneurship. Did they not realize that supporting new-age
ideas was crucial in the past and remains so now? Why the silence when various
Union Government agencies and private organisation aimed to support Sikkim in
nurturing young minds? Provide details on past policies and notable schemes
designed for entrepreneurs to create opportunities.
Specifically, disclose the number of employments
independently generated through your authority, power, and network. Startup
founders like Rinzing Choden Bhutia and Varsha Shrestha of Agapi- sustainable
skin care brand from Sikkim who use rare Himalayan herb to create skin-care
products, valued at USD 1 million, have outperformed several past politicians
in creating employment opportunities. They recently attracted Foreign Direct
Investment and have the potential to employ nearly 200 individuals.
NE Origins is another startup from Sikkim which is one of the fastest growing D2C brand as per INC42, a credible media company. The company led by Rewaj Chettri has raised a round of funding at 2 million dollar valuation. They are directly employed 16 people has created indirect employment opportunities to more that 200+ people.
OurGuest, founded in 2017 by Karma Thutop and Pintso Gyatso,
both locals from Sikkim, has been operating for more than 6 years now.
Currently, they directly employ over 40 locals. Their focus is on working with
Homestays, particularly in the rural sector across Northeast India and Kashmir.
Presently, they are in the process of building a marketplace for Guides across
the country, leveraging technology. Despite raising external investments
totaling 1.2 Crores, it's noteworthy that none of this investment has come from
the state of Sikkim.
Other startups, such as Lagstal Studio, Cas Collective,
Earthier, Yonika Infotainment Pvt Ltd, and many more, have successfully
navigated challenges, making substantial contributions to employment in Sikkim.
Unfortunately, these few never received any support in the past. Therefore, it
is imperative to extend further support to them, and that should be our
collective call as well.
Sikkim boasts almost 13 DPIIT startups with promising ideas, yet without sufficient support, nurturing, encouragement, and incubation, their potential for job creation remains untapped. The present unemployment scenario is a consequence of past actions, and at present we acknowledge our responsibility to curtail it down instead of running away from it.
Wholehearted support for entrepreneurship in the past could
have altered the current situation. Celebrating entrepreneurs day and opening
an office instead of creating an ecosystem to fostering entrepreneurship in the
state was nothing but mere tokenism. Past policies were insufficient, with
perhaps only one standing out (maybe). Unfortunately, there was no startup
policy post-2014, and the present Government has already drafted the policy.
Supporting entrepreneurship presents a challenge for our
government. Thus, under the leadership of Chief Minister Prem Singh
Tamang-Golay, the present government is actively working to establish a robust
ecosystem for entrepreneurs in Sikkim. The formulation of a startup policy,
along with a new inclusive industrial policy, is underway, accompanied by
upcoming schemes and a focus on financial support and incubation. The present
Government has successfully framed an MSME policy, a significant addition that
was absent in the past. The Commerce & Industries Department launched the
Skilled Youth Startup Sikkim (SYSS) on August 15, 2020, with the vision of
reducing unemployment and creating ample self-employment opportunities in the
long run. Independently, the SEED Cell was established to facilitate ideas and
provide support to flourishing minds.
While refraining from discussing the Company’s Act 2013 and
its 2018 amendments, as well as Sikkim’s Company Act 1961 and the complexities
of the sandwich entrepreneurs in Sikkim at this moment, addressing these issues
in future will surely expose the poor political will of the past. Despite
Sikkimese individuals being exempted from income tax, founders of various
startups in Sikkim (the brands) are still subject to income tax payments. This
outcome reflects a failure to address their challenges and emphasizes the lack
of political will in the past.
Delving into the issues of just startup founders would require a detailed and comprehensive
discussion.
Recent discussions within the present governance for
entrepreneurship in Sikkim strongly indicate a commitment to finding solutions
and addressing challenges faced by entrepreneurs.
We are dedicated to facilitating entrepreneurs and
supporting new ideas. Our commitment lies in progressive and solution-oriented
politics, not just press conferences pointing blame without subsequent action
when there was power and authority.
Politicians of the past who talk about unemployment issues
in Sikkim should first question themselves and introspect. The present
Government has understood that Government jobs will be saturated soon; thus,
entrepreneurship is the only solution and is our priority and call.
(The writer is spokesperson, SKM party. Views are personal)
