The Sikkim tourism department on Monday took up the initiative to address the issues articulated by the Union tourism ministry through the CP-GRAMS (Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System) mechanism and held a meeting with officials and stakeholders.

Last week, the ministry had sent an e-mail to the department, while appending a complaint filed by retired bureaucrat K.P. Wasnik who had toured Sikkim and Darjeeling.

The former commissioner of agriculture had alleged exorbitant rates of cabs and permits and underscored the need to develop roadside amenities in popular tourist destinations where tourists can take shelter or have some food during a sudden bout of snow or rain.

C.S. Rao, the principal secretary of the state tourism and civil aviation department, chaired the meeting on Monday evening. Rao stated that the meeting was primarily focused on the need to monitor and prevent overcharging from tourists.

“He (Rao) stressed the importance of strengthening the department's grievance cell and publishing helpline numbers for immediate assistance and resolution of issues flagged by tourists. Furthermore, he said the department needed to review cab rates charged by tour operators and travel agencies,” said a source.

At the meeting, Rao also said that cab owners and drivers should strictly follow rate charts. He requested tour and travel companies to avoid overpricing their services for tourists visiting Sikkim.

In the current summer season, Sikkim has witnessed fewer tourist footfall compared to earlier years because of a number of reasons, including frequent closure of NH10 because of repairs. Steep cab permit rates also proved to be a deterrent, said sources.

“The principal secretary said that those traveling to Sikkim should travel with tour operators registered with the state government so as to get proper safety standards and quality service,” the source added.

In the course of the meeting, discussions were also held on the tourism department’s initiative to establish a redressal cell at Nathu-la, which can serve as a facilitation centre.

Bandana Chettri, the additional secretary of the department, asked tourists to use the department’s official website.

“Tourists should book tours exclusively through registered travel agencies. To verify the authenticity of these agencies, they can visit www.sikkimtourism.gov.in,” said a source.

Representatives of different associations of tourism stakeholders were also present at the meeting.

“We hope such initiatives by the department improves the situation. By overcharging tourists under the pretext of car rentals and permit charges, many are eventually harming the prospects of the state's tourism industry,” said a tour operator based in Siliguri.