The Sikkim Chamber of Commerce has expressed gratitude to the state government for its swift intervention in addressing concerns raised by traders regarding the renewal of trade licences by the Gangtok Municipal Corporation (GMC). In a statement issued by the Chamber, the trading body thanked Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang for responding promptly to the difficulties faced by traders in Gangtok and directing the concerned authorities to resolve the matter without delay. According to the Chamber, traders had approached the government with grievances related to the trade licence renewal process. After being informed of the challenges faced by the business community, the Chief Minister reportedly instructed the concerned department and the Gangtok Municipal Corporation to take immediate steps to address the issue. Following the directive, an emergency meeting was convened on June 13 despite it being a holiday and the second Saturday of the month. The meeting was organised to discuss the concerns raised by traders and explore measures for their resolution.
As part of the follow-up action, a special three-day grievance redressal camp was set up at MG Marg in Gangtok, enabling traders to directly interact with officials and present their concerns. The initiative was aimed at providing on-the-spot assistance and ensuring that pending issues related to trade licence renewals were addressed in a timely manner. The Chamber stated that traders have been approaching officials stationed at the camp with various concerns and that many issues are being resolved promptly. It noted that the response from department officials has been encouraging and has helped restore confidence among members of the trading community. The organisation said the government’s actions reflected its commitment to resolving public grievances and supporting the business sector. It further observed that the initiative demonstrated the administration’s effort to bring governance closer to citizens and ensure that services are delivered efficiently.
The Chamber also acknowledged the role played by Gangtok MLA Delay Namgyal Barfungpa, Gangtok Mayor Tshering Palden Bhutia, Deputy Mayor Sara Tamang and officials of the Gangtok Municipal Corporation for their support and cooperation in addressing the concerns of traders. In the statement, Sikkim Chamber of Commerce representative Amar Agarwal expressed appreciation for the collective efforts made by the government and civic authorities. He said the prompt intervention had helped ease the difficulties faced by traders and demonstrated a willingness on the part of the administration to engage with stakeholders and resolve issues through dialogue and coordination. The Chamber reiterated its gratitude to all concerned authorities and expressed hope that continued cooperation between the government and the business community would contribute to a more efficient and trader-friendly environment in the state.