Union Tourism Ministry pulls up Sikkim Tourism Dept for ‘exploitative’ cab rates
First Published: 18th May, 2024 20:25 IST
The Union tourism ministry has pulled up the Sikkim tourism department for ‘exploitative’ cab and permit rates. K.P. Wasnik, a former additional commissioner of the Union ministry of agriculture who
The Union tourism ministry has pulled up the Sikkim tourism department for ‘exploitative’ cab and permit rates.
K.P. Wasnik, a former additional commissioner of the Union ministry of agriculture who had visited Sikkim in April had written to the Centre complaining about very steep taxi and permit rates.
Following his complaint,
in a letter dated May 13, the Centralised Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System of the Union Tourism Ministry pulled up the Sikkim tourism and civil aviation department for the rates.
“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.
COMMENTS
TOPMOST STORY NOW
Live Imphal-Andro Bad Road Issue: Protestors Cut Power Supply to Manipur Secretariat
26th July 2024
Live Meghalaya Pressure Groups Stop Vehicles from Assam from Entering State, 10 Arrested; Additional Forces To Be Deployed
26th July 2024
Live Sikkim MP Indra Hang Subba meets Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Seeks CBSE Affiliation for State’s Indigenous Languages
26th July 2024
Live Assam Rifles Commemorates 25th Kargil Vijay Diwas with Exhibition and Documentary Screening in Manipur
26th July 2024
WE RECOMMEND
Sikkim MP Indra Hang Subba meets Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, Seeks CBSE Affiliation for State’s Indigenous Languages
LS MP Subba requested for CBSE affiliation of Rai, Gurung, Sherpa and Tamang, indigenous languages of the state.
26th July 2024
Centre To Form 3-Member Committee To Look Into NE Autonomous Councils’ Demands, Issues To Be Addressed In A Month
The 10 Autonomous District Councils and Territorial Councils are spread across Sixth Schedule areas in Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Tripura
25th July 2024
Paris Olympics 2024: Northeast’s Tarundeep Rai among Indian archers to kick start India’s campaign tomorrow
Tarundeep, 40, will be making his 4th Olympic appearance tomorrow
24th July 2024
Indian Railways’ Big NE Push: Rs 10,376 Cr Allocated, Region to Get 60 Amrit Stations
Railways Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw said today that 18 railway projects with an investment of Rs 74,972 crore are already being taken up across northeast
24th July 2024
Bhumi Pednekar Hails Sikkim Govt’s Move Towards Environmental Sustainability says, ” hope other states follow suit as well”
The actress took to her Instagram stories and re-shared a reel highlighting the new development and how it would increase eco-consciousness among people
24th July 2024