An 11-member delegation of officials from the Commerce & Industries Department and representatives from the SEED Cell embarked on a 3-day study tour from November 25 to 27, 2024, to understand the World Bank-assisted Programme called Tamil Nadu Rural Transformation Programme (TNRTP).

The study tour aimed to learn about the initiatives taken to transform rural areas by promoting rural enterprises, providing access to credit finance, and creating employment opportunities. The tour is part of the Sikkim INSPIRES mandated by the World Bank to the Commerce & Industries Department to study and adopt best practices and implement them for existing and upcoming entrepreneurs.

The team, headed by Smt. Choden Gyatso, Additional Secretary and Nodal Officer, Sikkim INSPIRES, comprised Shri Topden Zangpo, Joint Secretary (MSME); Shri Gopal K. Chettri, Joint Secretary (Industries); Shri Hemant Khatiwada, Deputy Secretary; Smt. Anula Gurung, Assistant Director (DIC Jorethang); Smt. Chimila Sherpa, Assistant Director (IT); Shri Nikesh Rasaily, Head Assistant and Programme Coordinator, Sikkim INSPIRES; Shri Norbu Lepcha, JE-cum-Programme Coordinator, SYSS (DIC Gangtok); Shri Kamal Kharel, MSME Section cum Programme Coordinator, SYSS (Head Office); Shri Bishnu Khatiwada, DEO, SEED Cell; and Shri Balaraman R, Technical Support Agency for Sikkim Inspires.

The study tour included field visits to various enterprise units and community centers called E-Seva or One-Stop Facility centers across Coimbatore, Tiruppur, and Chennai districts. The tour concluded with a meeting with TNRTP officials in Chennai.

The delegation met beneficiaries across various sectors of the Matching Grant Programme (MGP) under the World Bank-assisted program, TNRTP, where over 105,000 enterprises have been supported, and 42 One-Stop Facility Centers have been operationalized. These centers provide business development support services, marketing and branding, statutory and legal compliances, licenses, and permissions on both free and payment basis.

The key takeaways from the study tour were the significant role of TNRTP in promoting and supporting Self-Help Groups (SHGs) in fostering financial independence and entrepreneurship right from the block level with the help of Enterprise Community Professionals. The delegation also learned about the role of industry professionals and trained manpower in guiding and handholding rural enterprises with digital support via a dedicated web portal and Management Information System (MIS) for registering, tracking, and monitoring the progress of applications under the Matching Grants Programme (MGP).

The delegates held discussions with the CEO of TNRTP, Smt. Deivasharshini, IAS, and other officials to understand the project's exemplary practices and approaches for assisting local entrepreneurs in the region.

The insights gained from this visit are anticipated to greatly inform and enhance the implementation of state-backed schemes to provide improved support to aspiring entrepreneurs and contribute to the state's developmental path.

Sikkim delegates explore Tamil Nadu Rural Transformation Programme (TNRTP). to learn best practices for empowering rural communities through enterprise, credit access, and job creation. #SikkimINSPIRES #TNRTP #RuralDevelopment

Details: https://t.co/j4evJQjJiB pic.twitter.com/ZtjJWodgOn

— PIB in Sikkim (@PIBGangtok) November 28, 2024

**********

ISA/SKM/TWB

 

(रिलीज़ आईडी: 2078551) आगंतुक पटल : 522