2. COMMUNICATION AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT
SIKKIM
Sikkim in the last more than 20 years or so, as a state of
Indian union, has undergone a multi-dimensional
transformation of its socio- economic system in an attempt to
align itself to the Indian economy. The mountainous terrain
and isolated location of the state , has however been
an implement in the absorption of the liberalization process
that have been sweeping the rest of the economy.
3. COMMUNICATION AND INDUSTRIAL DEVELOPMENT
INDUSTRIALIZATION
The current status of industrialization of Sikkim which was and still primarily an agrarian
state, needs to be seriously reviewed. At present 929 industrial units have been registered in
the small scale sector. Unfortunately, only a small number of units are still functioning in
Sikkim. The reasons for failure of the many industrial units are manifold. The cause of
sickness can be attributed to mismanagement, incorrect choice of products, sudden removal
of central government subsides, inadequate markets etc. Many Units were established in
Sikkim because Of legal/taxation advantages which were quickly abandoned when these
advantages ceased to exit .
4. Sadly, the recent history of, the industrialization process in the Sikkim has been unhappy
but with the opening of the Indian economy, Sikkim is poised to jump start once again in the
industrial sector. The advantages factors of Sikkim are numerous and can enable it to
develop into a strong economy with a well developed industrial base.
There is an investor friendly environment in the state with no law and order problems. The
industrial relations in the state are excellent with no history of labour trouble. This could be
one of the biggest suitability of Sikkim for speeding up Industrialization. The position of
power generation in Sikkim is comfortable and is also one of the cheapest in the region,
which again is a great for investment in Sikkim. New power projects, especially at
Rathongchu will double the generation of power in Sikkim in the near future.
5. However, there are a number of problems which have hampered economic and industrial
development in Sikkim which is briefly discussed below :---
Due to literacy rates and few poly-techniques, the majority of employable people in Sikkim
have in the category of semi skilled or Unskilled. There is also a death of higher technical
and management expertise in the state. The available resources in the state have not been
utilized adequately for industrialization. There is practically no value addition to the agro-
forestry raw materials produced in the state. The balance of trade is unfavorable for Sikkim
and therefore, the outflow of funds from the state is more than inflow. The credit deposit
ration in the bank is also one of the lowest in the country hovering around 20%. The absence
of an air link and rail head has negatively affected industrialization. The cost of land
development due to absence of flat areas has also restarted industrial growth. The training
facilities in the state are inadequate and not in tune with the needs of industry.
Communication facilities are also inadequately developed.
6. Some important Industries found in Sikkim are
➢Agro-based industry
➢Animal husbandry and Dairy products industry
➢Forest industry
➢Handicrafts
➢Electronics and software
➢Tourism and
➢Miscellaneous
7. The agricultural base offers scope for a diversified agro-processing industry. There are
substantial prospects for the horticulture and floriculture industries which are under
developed.
Horticulture is food processing industry in its nascent in Sikkim, In spite of the availability
of fruits, vegetable and spices that can be cultivated in its agro-climatic environment. The
climate of Sikkim is ideal for horticulture farming, with sitting of captive plantation or
contract fames for the establishment of the food- processing industry. Horticulture sector
income passes the processing of fruits, vegetables spices and tea.
Sikkim’s varied climate is ideal for the cultivation of a variety of temperate fruits.
8. The diverse agro-climate conditions of the states are ideal for the cultivation of a large
variety of species, fruits and off-seasons vegetables which could form a large variety food
processing industry. The dense forests are home of medicinal plants and herbs which
have wide industrial and medicinal applications. The mountain streams and rivers are
excellent sources for the generation of hydel power.
Additionally, the water bodies are also rich in varied aqua or fisheries and others which
lead to commercial growth. The low environment pollution and Semi-Greenfield
conditions of Sikkim are rare in the modern industrial context. This is conductive for the
development of the electronics industry. Tourism and floriculture are two other industrial
sectors where the potential of Sikkim is tremendous.
9. COMMUNICATION (SIKKIM)
Postal and Telecome- Postal system is a vital growth and modernization and it is fast
emerging as an important component of the modern communication and information
sector. The Indian postal system is the largest in the world, with a network of about 1.55
lakhs are in rural areas. The state Sikkim alone has 5 Head Post Offices. The
computerization and modernization in most of the offices are completed. The
computerization and networking greatly improve the quality and efficiency of existing
services.
Telecom acts as stimulus for the development process. Over the past decades, Sikkim
achievement in this sector has been quite impressive both in fixed line phones subscriber.
More and more users of fixed line are crossing over to mobile communication. Mobile
Communication and the internet are going to set the counters of further technological
progress over the next two decades.
10. Media
Print and electronic media are the two most common medium of communication in the
world today. The media is considered as the important channel of knowledge
dissemination. The development of the media therefore can be taken as another rough
index in knowledge dissemination in the state. The number of publications and growth of
readership in Sikkim is expanding rapidly. The reason for such expansion is attributed to
rise of literacy in the state. There are at present more than 70 daily bi-weekly and weekly
papers in Sikkim. The Sikkim Express and Sikkim Now in English and Samay Dainik and
Hamro Prajashakti in Nepali language are widely circulated local papers in Sikkim.
11. Media
The National newspaper like Hindustan times, Times of India, The Hindu, Indian Express,
the Telegraph and the Statesman are available in Sikkim. National News magazine like
India Today, frontline, Outlook, The Week Published from India and Himal Khabir Patrika
published from Kathmandu are available in the state. Cable and Dish Televisoon Coverage
has expanded very rapidly over the past one decade. Internet is currently the faster
growing media channel in Sikkim. CIC’s have been set up in different part of state to
bridge the digital gap.
