19.02.2026
The Secretary Madam, Karma Doma Youtso (SCS), Commerce & Industries Department (C&I Dept.) along with the Director, Shri. Tshering Topgay Bhutia, Directorate of Handicrafts & Handloom (DHH) and Joint Director (Trg.)-II, Ms. Pema Sangmo Bhutia visited several Branch Training Centre’s (BTC’s) at Temi, Kewzing, Melli, Upper Goom, Handloom Common Facility Centre (CFC) and Namchi District Office, where she inspected the ongoing repair and maintenance of the District office Namchi.
During her visit she has emphasised on proper inspection of the Branch Training Centre’s (BTC’s) and further directed the Directorate of Handicrafts & Handloom (DHH) to bring the passed-out trainees under production unit.
It, come to the notice that the passed-out trainees after getting training is reluctant to join the production unit due to several reasons.
She further assured and encourages the passed-out trainees that the Sikkim Handloom and Handicrafts Development Corporation Limited (SHHDC Ltd.) who is a sister organization of Directorate of Handicrafts & Handloom (DHH) is ready to procure or provide wages to the artisans and the weavers.
While going through the inspection of repair and maintenance of District Office Namchi, she was not satisfied with the progress of the work. Hence, she had suggested that Directorate of Handicrafts & Handloom (DHH) to come out with detailed progress report along with the concerned engineers from the Building & Housing Department.
She also took the status of the Heritage museum and suggested few steps for the better presentation of the heritage museum which has been acknowledge by the Museumologist, Ms. Pema Sherpa.
While concluding the tour at Melli Branch Training Centre, she visited Melli, Hand Made Paper Unit (HMPU), the concerned in-charge of the Branch Training Centre (BTC) appraised that the Hand Made Paper Unit (HMPU) is ready to operate after successful trail run and also informed that the seven (07) staffs who had been recently transferred from various departments as a man power to run the Hand Made Paper Unit (HMPU).
However, she was informed that there is no provision for the reckoning expenses like procurement of raw materials, electricity expenses, repair and maintenance expenses etc. If the unit fully becomes operational the Hand Made Paper Unit (HMPU) has a capacity to generate government revenue of at least ₹20,00,000/- (Rupees Twenty Lakh) only.
In this connection she has assured to take the matter to the government for fruitful deliberation.
