Sikkim will always remember the infamous ‘In-In & Out-Out’ episode from the peak of the Covid panic back in 2020. Most of you probably know the story. It is about a VIP whose Jorethang misadventure via Melli checkpost was an embarrassment for those supposed to prevent unsanctioned entries into Sikkim. The official reason was a supposed miscommunication about the ‘In-In & Out-Out’ directives given to the checkpost sentinels. That incident, while widely discussed, was quickly forgotten.
But if you think carefully, Sikkim has been experiencing more ‘Out-Out’ than ‘In-In’ for decades. We are not just talking about checkposts. We are talking about our economy.
Take a close look, nearly all our revenue seems to be going ‘Out-Out.’ Sikkim imports almost everything — from construction materials to cosmetics, skilled labor to daily wage earners, food items to bottled water. Even our affluent class is sending Sikkim-earned money out of the state, investing in lands and flats elsewhere.
On the flip side, the ‘In-In’ scenario is a lot less impressive. We have a handful of revenue streams, mostly limited to government grants and projects. There’s horticulture, dairy farming, floriculture, and tourism — those are the key sectors keeping money flowing into Sikkim. But let’s be real: it’s just a trickle compared to the vast amounts flowing out. It’s becoming increasingly clear that Sikkim needs well thought-out, strategic interventions to revitalize and expand these revenue-generating sectors. The challenge lies in creating an environment where these sectors can thrive and attract more capital.
The goal should be to shift the balance, increasing the cash flowing into the state while reducing the reliance on external sources. Achieving this will require innovative solutions, better infrastructure, and more efficient systems that can support growth.
Of course, we don’t mean to undermine the hard work of the stakeholders or the efforts being made by the state government. But let’s face it — the world has changed dramatically since the pandemic.
Consumer buying habits have shifted, digital platforms for purchasing and delivery are now the norm, and marketing strategies have evolved far beyond the traditional methods we once relied on.
Creating linkages is the buzzword but have we really made progress in this direction?
We’ve got to adapt seriously if we want to have bring money ‘In-In’ Sikkim instead of sending them ‘Out-Out’ of Sikkim.
