Public Undertakings and New Enterprises in Sikkim

by KC PRADHAN

I SAW WITH A tinge of sadness that the industrial flagships of the yesteryears - Sikkim Jewels and SITCO - are in the process of closing down with golden handshakes offered to its staff- the package varying from 4.5. lakhs to 10 lakhs. It was at the time of PP Pherwani and even Gyamtso Tashi in earlier times in Sikkim Jewels and Taga Khampa in SITCO that these institutions reached their zenith and were must-visit institutions for all dignitaries, from the Presidents to Prime Minsters to Ministers, from the Centre.
The world has changed, times have changed and so has the technology. It was expected that the executives in these institutions would be keeping abreast as to what was going around and keep changing the technology and the product as the market demanded. It is simple logic.

All institutions are headed by a board of directors. It is a lesson for the government to do away with all the party nominees heading organizations of such highly technical nature and go for the best brains either from home or outside to keep a close watch on the organization and keep abreast of the times.
It is not just the question of closing down, as these prime properties will have lucrative findings anyway, but the irony that the collective future of hundreds of such talented and well trained workers is going astray; that is a waste of human resources that we are desperately trying to achieve through capacity building measures at an enormous cost with doubtful uncertainty. Here lies the folly in not looking ahead and this lesson should apply to all such government and semi-government undertakings.
My immediate thought went to the assembly of mobiles or even laptops - the in-things of the present age of ever-developing technology. I wonder if persons of Sam Pitroda’s caliber and our technology-savvy Member of Lok Sabha could give it some thought. How about using the elegant premises of the old Sikkim House in Delhi to garner the best brains in the capital to create a think-tank under our competent MP to constantly deliberate on such issues facing our State.
Then again, I read the local dailies that the ruling party considered it fit to call for a Bandh on 04 and 05 April directed towards the numerous private enterprises that have mushroomed in the State over the last five to six years, without the least regard for our prized resources, and have violated the assurances and terms of the MoU. The only consolation we had was that the resource-strife State does need some resources for sustenance, or might I may, to keep the bloated bureaucracy and the paraparnalia of a small State to keep going and also the hope that the projects will impart gainful employment to the people of the State. The vision is appreciable. But it appears all these have gone awry. Is there any flaw in the agreements that we have entered into? Has Sikkim lost its inherent strength to show the doors to such unscrupulous entrepreneurs?
People at large were of the impression that what is going on is in the best interest of the State despite some environmental damages. But this sudden Bandh call gave us a jolt not because Sikkim will go hungry by 48 hours, but it gives a clear and loud signal that all is not well in the city of Rome. Some heads should surely roll if the house is to be put in order.
Considering the ground reality, the decision of the ruling party appears in right direction. After all, the ruling party has done a commendable job to present almost a balanced budget of over 8,000 crores - a historic occasion in the financial management of the State and can do very well even without all these grandiose schemes by all shades of people from all over the country with their own hidden agenda. After all they are here to make a quick buck and not for the love of Sikkim. So, it will augur well to keep all new enterprises on hold. There is undue hurry beyond the imagination of the people for whom the whole development revolves. I feel there is urgent need to introspect and do some re-thinking.  Having said all that, I shudder to think why this Bandh on this particular day – the 4th of April?
I also take this opportunity to say adieu to TT Dorji, one of the ablest bureaucrats in the long history of Sikkim administration, who retires from the Chief Secretary’s post. He brought Sikkim on even keel in the field of financial management. Our grateful thanks to TT and welcome to the new incumbent. Our best wishes and good luck.