The Hindu Business Line : Maximum job opportunities should be given to locals: Chamling

Gangtok, April 13 All private sector undertakings, industrial units and other companies which have invested in the State, should adhere to the State Government’s policy of providing maximum employment opportunities to the local people of Sikkim only. This was stated by Sikkim Chief Minister, Mr Pawan Chamling, while addressing a meeting of investors and power project developers here on Sunday.

“It is a policy decision taken by the State Cabinet and we expect all investors would abide at the decision,” he said.

Mr Chamling also sought the co-operation of investors in maintaining peace and harmony in the State.

“Sikkim is a land with peace loving and hospitable citizens and any unwanted activities will hurt their sentiments,” he added.

The State Government is fully assisting in setting up industries in the State by declaring areas in different places of the State as industrial zone areas.

“We are providing investors with all the facilities. We offer them peace and tranquillity, clean water, clean air, law and order, investor friendly government and a conducive environment to carry out business without any hindrance and obstruction.

“However, these industrial units have not been appointing locals, which would have relieved the pressure on the State Government to tackle growing unemployment,” Mr Chamling said.

“When licences are so easily issued by the State Government there should reciprocal gesture by investors for the benefit of the people of Sikkim,” the Chief Minister said.

He said that since there was no dearth of training institutes in the State, investors should select local candidates and adequately train and recruit them, he added.

The Chief Minister also urged investors to provide employment to only those Sikkimese people having authentic documents issued by the District Collectorates.

The Sikkim Assembly had passed a Bill making it mandatory for the private sector to ensure employment to local people in 95 per cent of vacancies/posts in their companies/organisation in the State.

The Sikkim Promotion of Local Employment Bill, 2008, was passed in the Budget session of the Sikkim Assembly in March earlier this year.

The enactment would require all companies registered under the Registration of Companies Act, 1961 or the Companies Act, 1956, having their operational units in Sikkim to give employment to local people on preferential basis in 95 per cent of vacancies/job/position and employment in the organisation. The provisions of the Sikkim Promotion of Local Employment Act, 2008, would apply to all companies and organisations functioning in the State having a workforce of more than ten persons.

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