Ms Neeru Sewa visited various government Industries and District Industries Centers

Gangtok 18^th October: Minister for Commerce and Industries Ms Neeru Sewa visited various government Industries and District Industries Centers on 18th October 2011’ and inspected the damages of infrastructures caused by the 18^th September earthquake. She was accompanied by Mr, K. N.Bhutia, Secretary Industries and other Official from Industries Department.

The Minister Miss Sewa visited Government Food Preservation Factory at Singtam and inspected the damages on the infrastructure. She was informed by the Managing Director that they are able to produce five metric tons of pickle  per month and the production of juices is five metric tons per day. Miss Sewa also visited the newly  setup pure water bottling plant which is  estimated to produce  about  eight thousand bottles per day and its maximum retail price would be Rupees 17/- (seventeen) per one liter bottle. She also tested the water and certified the new production of Food Preservation Factory, Singtam.

The Minister also directed the officials to evaluate the damages of the infrastructure and  also submit the proposal to the government for the beautification of surrounding areas of the Factory also.

The Minister also visited the Temi Tea Estate where a  two storied Bungalow which is around 126 years  has been totally damaged.  She also visited the Tea Factory and production centre where damages and cracks in the infrastructure were found. She visited the temporally made relief camps arranged by the Estate management itself to shelter the laborers   The Manager Mr, M.P Chamling briefed the Minister about the damages caused by the Quake. He also informed the Minister that one Professor from IIT Kharagpur,  informed him that the test  conducted by them  Temi Tea  has revealed  that the tea in black form  contained anti inflammatory and anti ulcer elements.

Miss Neeru Sewa also visited the Directorate of Handicrafts and Handlooms Namchi which has also sustained damages. She also inspected the workshop and Common Facility Centre of DHH Namchi.

Similarly, the Minister also visited District Industries Centre, Jorethang  which  has been  severely damaged by the earthquake.  She also visited the  mini industrial units  like Sunnis Masala factory which is being run by local  entrepreneur Mr. Jagat Sharma and also providing employment to the local people. The officials and the entrepreneur of the Jorethang DIC also put forward their grievances to the Minister during the visit.

Later in the evening, the Minister and her team visited at DHH, Weaver’s Centre at Melli, South Sikkim and inspected the three storied building damaged by the earthquake.  While interacting with the local Panchayat and weavers, she mentioned about the Government’s effort is to make the people of Sikkim  producers and self-reliant. The Minister informed that in order to cater training facility to the people living in far-flung areas the department would organize mobile training programme in cluster manner.

During the visit he Minister and her entourage analysed the damages on government properties and infrastructures caused by the September 18 earthquake.  They also decided to prepare a report and submit to the government. 

Press release