Sikkim’s proposed online permit system for restricted and protected tourist destinations has sparked a debate over alleged revenue leakage, a proposed fee hike, and the role of private agencies, with the government defending the move as a step to plug leakages and modernise the permit management.
The Chief Minister rejected allegations that the government was handing over the system to a private company. “The service provider will only operate the system. The BJP’s Sikkim unit, however, questioned the private role and demanded clarity on data ownership, storage and access. But the ownership of the system has to be with the government and not with a private company. The government has also proposed insurance and other assistance for tourists and drivers. Once approved, the department expects about two months to operationalise the system.
He said around 15.68 lakh tourists visited sites near the India-China border like Nathula Pass, Tsomgo Lake and Baba Mandir in 2025, which at the existing rate of Rs 200 could have generated about Rs 31.36 crore, while only Rs 3.64 crore reached the government. Yadav defended the proposal, saying the Rs 200 rate fixed in 2007 had not kept pace with inflation and that the new rates were calculated at about Rs 500 per person based on vehicle capacity.
Sikkim Chief Minister Prem Singh Golay said the existing system had resulted in a major gap between tourist numbers and revenue reaching the government. Yadav said the government could not yet quantify the alleged loss. “I cannot comment on the losses,” he said, adding that the effectiveness of the new system would ultimately be judged by whether revenue increased after implementation. All rights and authority will remain with the Tourism Department,” he said, adding all the data and the revenue generated through the system will remain under the government of Sikkim and the Tourism Department. Yadav similarly said a private agency could be engaged for portal development and AI-based management, but stressed, “The government’s role is to control, supervise and ensure implementation. BJP spokesperson Passang Gyali Sherpa said, “We are not against technology. Yadav said the stakeholder consultation process would continue before the proposal goes to the Cabinet.
