New Delhi, Aug 19: Chief Minister Shri Prem Singh Tamang attended the Stakeholders Consultative Meeting of the Tourism & Civil Aviation Department yesterday on the proposed Integrated Online Permit System for Restricted and Protected Areas.
The proposed system is aimed at strengthening transparency, efficiency and accountability in the permit process while safeguarding the interests of Sikkim’s tourism sector and its people. The Chief Minister clarified that the proposal is presently at the consultation and discussion stage and has not yet been implemented.
He stated that the Government is engaging extensively with tourism stakeholders to understand their concerns, assess existing challenges and incorporate their valuable suggestions before taking the matter forward.
Highlighting the primary objective of the proposed system, the Chief Minister said that it is intended to address revenue leakage and ensure that legitimate revenue generated through tourism is duly realised by the State. He noted a considerable disparity between tourist data entering Sikkim and the revenue being realised through tourism-related permits and activities.
He emphasised that addressing this gap is essential to protecting the economic interests of the State and, consequently, the interests of the people of Sikkim. Revenue generated through tourism and other sectors is ultimately utilised for public welfare, infrastructure development and the overall progress of the State. Ensuring transparency and preventing avoidable revenue loss, he said, is therefore a responsibility that the Government cannot overlook.
The proposed system is also expected to substantially benefit Sikkim-registered tour and travel operators and local tourism stakeholders by reducing unnecessary intermediaries, streamlining the permit process and creating a more transparent and hassle-free mechanism for both operators and visitors.
Clarifying the role of the agency being considered for development of the system, the Chief Minister stated that it would function strictly as a service provider and would neither own nor benefit from the revenue generated. The Government would only bear the applicable service charges for the services provided.
He further stated that if any qualified local individual or entity possesses the requisite capability and wishes to propose a similar system, the Government remains open to examining such proposals in accordance with due process.
“Our Government remains committed to participatory governance and decisions that serve the larger public interest. We will not take any measure that compromises the legitimate interests of the people of Sikkim or its tourism fraternity,” the Chief Minister said.
The consultation was described as constructive, providing important insights into the concerns and challenges faced by local stakeholders, tourism operators and visitors. These inputs, the Chief Minister said, would enable the Government to further examine and refine the proposed system.
Reiterating the Government’s priorities, he said that the focus remains on strengthening roads and infrastructure, improving public amenities, facilitating ease of doing business for local tourism stakeholders and ensuring that the benefits of Sikkim’s tourism economy accrue meaningfully to the people of Sikkim.
The Chief Minister welcomed informed feedback and constructive participation from all stakeholders, stating that the objective is not merely to introduce a digital system but to build a transparent, accountable and sustainable tourism framework that protects Sikkim’s resources, strengthens local participation and serves the long-term interests of the State and its people
