News & Announcement
Stakeholders Consultative Meeting on Integrated Online Permit System Held at Manan Kendra
Gangtok, August 18 (IPR): A day-long stakeholders’ consultative meeting on the Integrated Online Permit System under Sikkim INSPIRES, chaired by Chief Minister Mr Prem Singh Tamang, was organised by the Tourism and Civil Aviation Department at Manan Kendra today.
In his address, the Chief Minister, Mr Prem Singh Tamang, highlighted that State Government has reiterated its commitment to introducing a transparent, technology-driven and integrated online permit system aimed at streamlining tourist permit issuance, strengthening revenue collection and ensuring greater benefits for local tourism stakeholders.
He stated that the proposed AI-based Integrated Online Permit System is intended to simplify the permit process, eliminate unnecessary movement and paperwork, prevent revenue leakage and improve transparency in the tourism sector.He emphasised that preventing such revenue leakage would ultimately benefit the people through increased government revenue and development programmes.
The proposed system will also seek to strengthen the role of Sikkim-based registered tour operators, with permits proposed to be issued only through authorised local operators, he added.
The Chief Minister further clarified that the agency engaged for developing or operating the proposed system would function only as a service provider and not as a contractor. The Government and the concerned department would retain ownership, authority and control over the system.
Emphasising the need for a coordinated approach, the Chief Minister stated that tourism development must be aligned with traffic management, infrastructure development, environmental protection and the carrying capacity of the State.
The proposed integrated online permit mechanism, therefore is aimed not only at improving revenue collection but also at creating a more efficient and transparent tourism management framework while safeguarding the interests of local tourism stakeholders and promoting sustainable tourism in Sikkim.
In his address, Minister, Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, highlighted that tourism is a vital sector of the State and emphasised the need for an online permit system in view of the long-standing demands of tourism stakeholders. He stated that the proposed system would benefit all stakeholders by making the permit process more efficient and accessible. He further assured that the Department would identify and address the existing shortcomings and strengthen the system to ensure its effective implementation.
In his welcome address, Chairman, Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, Mr Sonam Norgay Lanchungpa, highlighted the key features and objectives of the Integrated Online Permit System, focusing on revenue generation, curbing overcharging, strengthening tourist safety and security, and safeguarding the interests of tourism entrepreneurs.
In his presentation on the Integrated Online Permit System, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, Mr Raj Yadav, gave a detailed overview of the proposed AI-driven smart permit management system. He highlighted tourist footfall analysis, revenue projections, potential revenue leakages, the chronology of the existing permit process, current procedures and key friction points, as well as the roles and responsibilities of authorities involved in permit issuance.
He further elaborated on the proposed digital transformation and institutional framework, emphasising the principle of “One Permit, One Agency.” He outlined the various categories of permits to be issued, portal users and their access rights, including those of registered tour operators, permit-approving officers and the core rules governing permit issuance.
He also explained the processes for application creation and validation, stating that permit applications would be routed exclusively through registered tour operators, thereby ensuring a structured, transparent and accountable permit issuance mechanism.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister also launched the Sikkim Adventure Tourism Fest 2026, scheduled to be held from 1 to 7 November 2026, unveiling its official logo and promotional video.
Thereafter an open discussion with stakeholders and representatives from different association raised questions suggestions, concerns and issues regarding the integrated online permit system.
Also present were the Speaker, SLA, Cabinet Ministers, MLAs, Advisors, Chairpersons, Chief Secretary, DGP, HoDs and Secretaries from various Departments, OSDs, Pipons, Panchayat Members, tourism stakeholders and other dignitaries.
The Vote of Thanks was delivered by Senior CHA, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Mr Bikash Rai.
In his address, the Chief Minister, Mr Prem Singh Tamang, highlighted that State Government has reiterated its commitment to introducing a transparent, technology-driven and integrated online permit system aimed at streamlining tourist permit issuance, strengthening revenue collection and ensuring greater benefits for local tourism stakeholders.
He stated that the proposed AI-based Integrated Online Permit System is intended to simplify the permit process, eliminate unnecessary movement and paperwork, prevent revenue leakage and improve transparency in the tourism sector.He emphasised that preventing such revenue leakage would ultimately benefit the people through increased government revenue and development programmes.
The proposed system will also seek to strengthen the role of Sikkim-based registered tour operators, with permits proposed to be issued only through authorised local operators, he added.
The Chief Minister further clarified that the agency engaged for developing or operating the proposed system would function only as a service provider and not as a contractor. The Government and the concerned department would retain ownership, authority and control over the system.
Emphasising the need for a coordinated approach, the Chief Minister stated that tourism development must be aligned with traffic management, infrastructure development, environmental protection and the carrying capacity of the State.
The proposed integrated online permit mechanism, therefore is aimed not only at improving revenue collection but also at creating a more efficient and transparent tourism management framework while safeguarding the interests of local tourism stakeholders and promoting sustainable tourism in Sikkim.
In his address, Minister, Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, highlighted that tourism is a vital sector of the State and emphasised the need for an online permit system in view of the long-standing demands of tourism stakeholders. He stated that the proposed system would benefit all stakeholders by making the permit process more efficient and accessible. He further assured that the Department would identify and address the existing shortcomings and strengthen the system to ensure its effective implementation.
In his welcome address, Chairman, Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, Mr Sonam Norgay Lanchungpa, highlighted the key features and objectives of the Integrated Online Permit System, focusing on revenue generation, curbing overcharging, strengthening tourist safety and security, and safeguarding the interests of tourism entrepreneurs.
In his presentation on the Integrated Online Permit System, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Tourism and Civil Aviation Department, Mr Raj Yadav, gave a detailed overview of the proposed AI-driven smart permit management system. He highlighted tourist footfall analysis, revenue projections, potential revenue leakages, the chronology of the existing permit process, current procedures and key friction points, as well as the roles and responsibilities of authorities involved in permit issuance.
He further elaborated on the proposed digital transformation and institutional framework, emphasising the principle of “One Permit, One Agency.” He outlined the various categories of permits to be issued, portal users and their access rights, including those of registered tour operators, permit-approving officers and the core rules governing permit issuance.
He also explained the processes for application creation and validation, stating that permit applications would be routed exclusively through registered tour operators, thereby ensuring a structured, transparent and accountable permit issuance mechanism.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister also launched the Sikkim Adventure Tourism Fest 2026, scheduled to be held from 1 to 7 November 2026, unveiling its official logo and promotional video.
Thereafter an open discussion with stakeholders and representatives from different association raised questions suggestions, concerns and issues regarding the integrated online permit system.
Also present were the Speaker, SLA, Cabinet Ministers, MLAs, Advisors, Chairpersons, Chief Secretary, DGP, HoDs and Secretaries from various Departments, OSDs, Pipons, Panchayat Members, tourism stakeholders and other dignitaries.
The Vote of Thanks was delivered by Senior CHA, Tourism and Civil Aviation, Mr Bikash Rai.
