The Union tourism ministry has written to the Sikkim tourism and civil aviation department expressing concern over "exploitative" cab and permit rates and a lack of amenities for visitors among other things.

The letter sent by the CPGRAMS (Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System) of the ministry on May 13 said tourists visiting the Himalayan state had lodged several complaints about the problems they faced during their recent trips.

K.P. Wasnik, a former additional commissioner of the Union ministry of agriculture, had been to Sikkim and Darjeeling from April 27 to May 5 with his family. After his visit, the letter said, he filed a complaint with the tourism ministry, narrating several issues.

“The issues raised (by Wasink) included exploitative pricing by the travel agencies for permits to visit various tourist spots, safety concerns at Nathu-la point due to narrow steps and inadequate infrastructure, lack of amenities and security measures at tourist spots and exorbitant charges by travel agencies for car rentals,” says the letter sent by the ministry.

“It is requested that the matter kindly be examined and action as deemed fit,” said the letter.

In his complaint, Wasnik said he and the family had visited Lachung, Zero Point, Yumthang Valley, Nathu-la and some other spots in Sikkim.

“The travel agencies charged Rs 4,000 for Zero Point and Yumthang Valley and another Rs 4,000 for permits to go to Nathu-la pass and the lake. This is sheer exploitation of the visitors. I suggest that the government department should issue the pass online by accepting the fee, if any, through online mode,” the former official said in his letter.

He also said no arrangements were available at the tourist spots to provide shelter or proper food to visitors in case of a sudden downpour or snowfall.

“The travel agencies charge very exorbitant rates for travelling by car,” Wasnik said in his complaint to the tourism ministry and suggested that the Sikkim government fix the rates.

Those associated with the tourism industry in the region said such allegations had often been levelled by tourists, but there hadn’t been any change in the situation.

“The trend to extract more money from tourists on the pretext of cab rentals and permit charges would eventually affect the tourism industry of the region. We hope this letter from the Union tourism ministry will make the Sikkim government act,” said a senior tour operator based in Siliguri.

A hotelier in Sikkim said in the current summer season, the inflow of tourists had been comparatively less in Sikkim because of several reasons, including the frequent closure of NH10.

“Now if cabs start overcharging tourists, it would have a negative impact on the sector,” he said.