Single window concept suggested for tourism stakeholders


GANGTOK, September 7: The State government has given its agreement for establishing a single window system for providing licenses to hotels and restaurants in Sikkim.

This agreement in principle was reached during meeting at Tashiling secretariat chaired by Tourism minister Bhim Dhungel and participated by chief secretary TT Dorji, departmental heads and representatives from Sikkim Hotel & Restaurant Association.

During the meeting, the chief secretary suggested a single window system for licensing which was agreed to by the departmental heads who will be working to bring the proposed system in place, informs a SHRA press note.

Minister Dhungel said also supported the concept of single window so that the tourism stakeholders will not face problems in getting clearances from different agencies.

SHRA president Bhanu Pratap Rasaily highlighted that the hotel and restaurant sector in Sikkim is at its infancy and called for support to ensure a growth of this sector with less complicated rules and taxes. Generous support from the State government will encourage more local youths to join tourism sector for self-employment, he argued.

Rasaily also pointed out issues faced by hotels and restaurants in Sikkim regarding labour laws. He also apprised the State government about the excessive fees charged by the State Pollution Control Board from the tourism stakeholders

source;sikkim express