Namchi Rural Development Department Hosts District Consultation on IEIAP under Sikkim INSPIRES

Namchi, August 16(IPR): District Level Consultation on the Integrated Economic Inclusion Action Plan(IEIAP) under Sikkim INSPIRES, organised by Rural Development Department was held at Town Hall, Namchi, today.

Present during the programme were, Deputy Speaker SLA Ms Rajkumari Thapa, Minister Urban Development Department Mr Bhoj Raj Rai, MLAs Mr Rikshal Dorjee Bhutia and Mr Satish Chandra Rai, Zilla Adhakshya Ms Anjeeta Rai, NMC Chairperson Mr Ganesh Rai and Councillors of NMC, Jorethang Nagar Panchayat President and Panchayat Members of Gram Panchayat Units from Namchi district.

Also present were DC Namchi Cum Chairperson District IEIAP Committee Ms Anupa Tamling, ADC(Development) Ravangla Mr Sunil Mothey, ADC(Development) Namchi Dr CP Rai, SDM (HQ) Mr Nim Pintso Bhutia and Officers and staff from RDD, along with local entreprenuers, Self Help Groups and students from Namchi Government College.

ADC (Development) Ravangla Mr Sunil Mothey, in his welcome address, stressed the importance of IEIAP, noting that consultations with stakeholders including elected representatives, entrepreneurs, youths, and students will help shape projects and policies to create economic opportunities and build a sustainable future. He further highlighted the initiative’s focus on targeted groups, especially women, youth, and adolescents (10–19 years), with emphasis on mental health and well-being.

During the programme, Senior Planning Coordinator, (PIU, RDD) Mr Nima Tashi Bhutia, presented the background and objectives of the District Level Integrated Economic Inclusion Action Plans (IEIAP) under Sikkim INSPIRES. He informed that the Rural Development Department is preparing the plans under this State Government initiative, supported by the World Bank, with the DC as Chairperson and ADC (Development) as Member Secretary. He stated that the IEIAP is being developed as a structured, evidence-based roadmap to promote economic inclusion of women and youth in non-farm sectors, with strategies focused on entrepreneurship, enterprise development, and sustainable livelihoods. The six identified priority areas are Creative Economy, IT & IT-enabled Services, Tourism, Hospitality & Wellness, Green Jobs, and Child & Elderly Care.

Meanwhile, TSA (RDD) Mr Gyan Prasad Sharma, delivered a presentation on the surveyed data on the Employment and Enterprise of household for the plan. He explained that the survey aims to establish a baseline of socio-economic data on women and youth to guide the preparation of Economic Action Plans (EAPs), assess the existing landscape of non-farm livelihoods including sectoral trends, institutional support and market linkages, and identify household skills and capacities, particularly among women and youth, to gauge their readiness for economic participation. Further, he added the survey sought to determine sectoral needs for enhancing non-farm livelihood opportunities and to identify barriers such as limited access to finance, markets, and training that hinder economic inclusion.

Deputy Secretary RDD Ms Anupama Rai presented key observations by Discussion Planning Group on the economic activities of blocks under Ravangla division. She highlighted the schemes implementation of the State and Central Governments while also noting barriers and primary focuses on skills training, infrastructure, and financial and market access. She further shared potential economic opportunities along with success stories, which will be incorporated into the planning framework.

TSA Team Leader (RDD) Ms Priya Darshani Pradhan shared the draft plan for Namchi district, outlining its strengths, challenges, focus areas, and required interventions along with tentative budgets for every intervention and the roles of key institutions.

In the programme, an open discussion was conducted, paneled by the MLAs, Councilors, and Panchayat members, where they shared insights to enhance the draft plan and proposed ways to support economic opportunities. Further, SHGs, local entrepreneurs, and youth shared their suggestions and concerns related to their respective professions.

Later, a youth consultation at the conference room at Town Hall saw students and young entrepreneurs share views on the draft plan, focusing on skills, entrepreneurship, and livelihoods.