On Tuesday, the Sikkim legislature approved a measure aimed at regulating the travel and tourist sector to improve service quality. Tshering Thendup Bhutia, Minister of Tourism and Civil Aviation, launched the Sikkim Registration of Tourist Trade Bill, 2024 on Monday. According to Bhutia, the bill aims to create a legal framework for the regulation of activities related to tourism by making sure that all parties involved follow guidelines that support safety, quality, and moral behavior. This will improve the level of service provided by tour operators and make Sikkim one of the most popular tourist destinations in the nation.
Sikkim Approves Bill to Boost Tourism: 10 Key Points To Know
- Sikkim Legislature Passes Tourism Bill: The Sikkim legislature approved the Sikkim Registration of Tourist Trade Bill, 2024, aimed at regulating the travel and tourism sector in the state.
- Purpose of the Bill: The bill seeks to establish a legal framework to regulate tourism-related activities, ensuring that all stakeholders adhere to safety, quality, and ethical standards.
- Enhancing Service Quality: The bill is intended to improve the quality of services provided by tour operators, making Sikkim a top tourist destination in India.
- Responsible Tourism Principles: The legislation outlines key principles for responsible tourism, setting mandatory conduct guidelines for travelers, stakeholders, and visitors.
- Penalties for Non-Compliance: The bill includes provisions for penalties against those who violate its regulations, aiming to enforce compliance and uphold tourism standards.
- Focus on Sustainable Tourism: The bill emphasizes the importance of sustainable tourism practices, encouraging care for the environment and commitment to community development.
- Department of Tourism Empowered: The legislation seeks to reorganize and empower Sikkim’s Department of Tourism and Civil Aviation to better manage and regulate tourism activities.
- E-Stamping Bill Passed: The Sikkim legislature also passed the Sikkim Court Fees and Stamps on Documents (Amendment) Bill, 2024, to implement e-stamping, modernizing the payment of stamp duty.
- Online Gambling Regulation: The House approved the Sikkim Online Gambling (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2024, to regulate online gambling and impose fines on unregistered operators.
- Budget Session Highlights: The four-day budget session included obituaries for former MLAs and MPs, a Motion of Thanks to the Governor, and discussions on the state budget for 2024–25, with a vote scheduled for August 9.
He noted that in addition to outlining important principles for responsible tourism and required conduct for travelers, stakeholders, and visitors, the law also suggests consequences for breaking its provisions and the regulations that would be enacted as a result. According to him, the measure also aims to make sure that the parties involved follow the rules of sustainable tourism, treat the environment with care, and show a dedication to community development. According to the minister, it would also reorganize and empower the Department of Tourism and Civil Aviation. The Sikkim Court Fees and Stamps on Documents (Amendment) Bill, 2024, which aims to implement e-stamping, was also approved by the legislature.
E-stamping, according to Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, is a method to modernize the electronic payment of stamp duty and would have the same legal standing as traditional stamps imprinted on documents. According to him, e-stamping simplifies verification lowers mistakes, and is readily traceable. In order to control the operation of online gambling in the state, the House also enacted the Sikkim Online Gambling (Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2024.
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According to the CM, the state government has decided it is appropriate to amend the definition of “Intranet Gaming Terminal” and include provisions imposing fines on unregistered operators. On Monday, the four-day budget session got underway. The second day’s proceedings began with obituaries for former MLAs Sonam Gyatso Bhutia and Ram Chandra Poud, as well as former MP Pahalman Subba.
The Motion of Thank You to the Governor for his Address was carried by the House without debate. The state budget for 2024–25 was also up for debate, although none actually happened. On August 9, the budget will be voted on and approved. The CM who oversees finance also moved the Demands for Excess Grants/Appropriation 2015–16, which were approved by the assembly. The House was then adjourned till Wednesday morning at 11 a.m.
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