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Our story takes its setting in Sikkim
- the Hidden Valley of Rice, the land of
peace, happiness and contentment, snuggly perched in the lap of
the mighty Himalayas. This land, of pristine glory, covered by
virgin forests and gurgling streams, fed by pure melted snow, of
the lofty Himalayan peaks, is witness to the remarkable
enterprise of a small unit (a unit that was totally destroyed by
a landslide in the very first year of its operations) clustered
among the hills, in a business dominated by large groups.
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 In this tranquil, but at times geologically treacherous,
surroundings is located, Sikkim Distilleries Limited, a
48-year-old company established by the order of the Chogyal, the
then ruler of the erstwhile kingdom of Sikkim. The distillery,
situated in the North Eastern corner of India, is known
worldwide for the fine quality of liquors produced and marketed
under the brand name of SIKKIM LIQUORS.
Established in 1954, as a Joint Stock Company, with an initial
capital of only Rupees four hundred thousand, the Company, in
the year 2001, is worth Rupees three hundred sixty million plus.
The turnover of the company has also increased steadily from
approximately Rs. 1.3 million in 1963 to Rs. 220 million in
2002. The profits earned are commensurate with the sales and
this has enabled the management to reward the shareholders with
handsome dividends and bonuses over the years. The credit for
this remarkable achievement goes squarely to the astute
management who, not with standing the socio-geo-political
climate prevalent in this region, has through sheer
determination and perseverance, maintained a steady
growth.
The Government of Sikkim, the largest single shareholder of the
Company, with a shareholding in excess of 48%, is benefited not
only through the dividends and bonuses it has received over a
period of time but also through the revenue that the Company has
generated and contributed to the exchequer by way of direct and
indirect taxes.
The working and the policies are governed and decided by the
Board of Directors, comprising of nominees representing the
Government of Sikkim and the founder entrepreneur's family,
through a full time Managing Director.
A well-cared for, happy and efficient workforce led by a very
energetic and dynamic management team is the key behind the
success of this distillery. A team of two hundred and sixty plus
sincere workers complimented by a team of twenty-four odd
committed management staff ensures that the distillery is run
efficiently. The staff can avail of free electricity, water,
housing, limitless medical care to the entire family,
scholarships for the education of the children and more and
all this is unpretentiously showered by the Company. The
cumulative result of this is a very cordial, harmonious and
cohesive labour management relationship.
The proof of the quality of liquors finally rests with its
acceptance by the consumer, but what goes into making a fine
liquor - is the dedication and perspiration of the workers,
inspired by the high quality of the management, blended together
with the excellent quality of raw materials that are then
matured for a number of years in wooden vats and barrels.
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