SORENG: A one-day workshop cum orientation programme on Integrated Economic Inclusion Action Plan (IEIAP) Committee under Sikkim Integrated Service Provision and Innovation for Reviving Economies (INSPIRES) was held at the conference hall of District Administrative Centre Soreng on September 27.
The workshop was chaired by Dhiraj Subedi District Collector (Soreng), the Chairperson of IEIAP Committee and Bishal Mukhia Director (SIRD), Bikash Subba Deputy Director (SIRD), Deepak Rai Deputy Secretary cum SNO, RDD, Sangram Satpathy Team Leader, PMC (Sikkim INSPIRES) attended as resource person.
While addressing the house, the DC briefed about the purpose of the IEIAP Committee, emphasizing the need for an action plan to support economic activities in the district. He then stressed on importance of non-farm activities, particularly in food processing methods, as a valuable factor of the plan.
The DC further suggested the inclusion of other line departments in the IEIAP Committee for better coordination in making the Sikkim INSPIRES a success. In order to support the tourism development in the district, he also made a discussion on eco-tourism as a potential approach. The nodal departments were asked to explore existing opportunities that could be included into the district action plan, while stating that the plan should focus on modern techniques to meet market demands effectively.
During the presentation, Team Leader, PMC (Sikkim INSPIRES) gave an overview of the Sikkim INSPIRES Programme, where he informed that the Sikkim INSPIRES is an initiative of Government of Sikkim supported by the World Bank. Informing about the programme he also apprised that the programme focuses on non-farm sectors for the benefit of youth and women in the State. He then explained about program development objective and programme result areas in detail. Highlighting the Employment and Entrepreneurship Promotion Facility (EEPF), he stated that the EEPF should be established to make aware and strengthen the capacity of individual to start their own business.
The Deputy Secretary cum SNO, RDD further took the presentation, where he informed that the programme has prioritise the eight departments including Rural Development Department (RDD), Forest, Women and Child Development, Information Technology, Skill Development, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Health and Family Welfare, and Commerce and Industries, creating employment opportunities for women and youth focusing on skilling, entrepreneurship, mental health and rural tourism.
Bishal Mukhia Director (SIRD), informing about the roles of SIRD in Sikkim INSPIRES, shared his experiences from the recent visit of Programme Implementation Unit-Rural Development Department to Tamil Nadu Rural Transformation Project (TNRPT), Chennai.Thereafter, the roles and responsibilities of the IEIAP Committee through power point presentation were discussed in detail.
Earlier, the programme commenced with the welcome note delivered by Gaayas Pega ADC (Dev.) cum Member Secretary of IEIAP Committee, while the programme concluded with a vote of thanks proposed by DR Bista ADC (Soreng).
- IPR
