Gangtok: The All Sikkim Luxury Vehicle Owners cum Drivers Welfare Association (ASLVOCDWA) on Thursday expressed support for the State government's proposal to introduce an AI-integrated online platform for issuing Protected Area Permits (PAP) and Restricted Area Permits (RAP), saying the move would benefit local operators and reduce malpractice in the tourism sector.
Association cites local benefits, hopes for cleaner process
Addressing a press conference in Gangtok, ASLVOCDWA president Bhuwan Pradhan described the online system as a "
need of the hour" and said it would help put an end to the long-standing practice of subletting in the tourism trade. He said the arrangement would enable ethnic Sikkimese stakeholders—those with Certificates of Identification (COI) and Sikkim Subject Certificates (SSC)—to access opportunities that have often bypassed them.
Pradhan appealed to authorities to carry out rigorous verification of documents under the new mechanism, warning that fraudulent obtainment of state documents remains a concern. He also urged non-local actors to refrain from intervening in the government’s implementation, arguing such interference could disturb the existing cooperative atmosphere among stakeholders.
Operational details and stakeholder engagement
The association said the proposed digital permit portal, which will involve artificial intelligence components for processing and verification, was discussed at a stakeholders' meeting convened by the Tourism department. According to ASLVOCDWA, "maximum stakeholders participated in the meeting, while a few did not. We request everyone not to politicise the issue," Pradhan said.
ASLVOCDWA general secretary Randeep Chettri added that the revamped system would ensure only locally owned and operated vehicles are authorised to enter PAP and RAP areas, reinforcing the priority for local service providers.
- Primary aims: reduce subletting, tighten document checks, favour local operators.
- Stakeholder process: Tourism department held consultations; ASLVOCDWA says most participated.
- Operational priority: only locally owned and run vehicles to be allowed into PAP/RAP zones, as per association’s statement.
Context: why permits matter
Protected Area Permits and Restricted Area Permits regulate entry into sensitive or restricted border and conservation zones in and around Sikkim. They are central to how tourism services operate in these areas, and allegations of permit subletting or irregular issuance have periodically surfaced, affecting revenue and local employment opportunities.
| Permit | Primary purpose |
|---|---|
| PAP | Regulate tourist access to designated protected areas. |
| RAP | Control entry into restricted border or security-sensitive zones. |
Reactions and caveats
While the association welcomed the digitalisation, it also urged authorities to verify the authenticity of supporting documents before issuing permits, signalling concerns over identity fraud and misuse. Pradhan said the move would give the tourism sector "a fresh start" by eliminating discrepancies in permit issuance.
The association’s statements also contained a political caution: leaders requested that the matter not be politicised and appealed to external actors to avoid interference, suggesting a desire for administrative autonomy in implementing the new system.
What this could mean locally
If implemented with robust verification and transparent processes, the AI-integrated portal could shift permit allocation towards local vehicle owners and drivers, potentially increasing their share of tourism-related income. It could also streamline approvals and reduce manual discretion, which stakeholders say has allowed subletting to flourish.
However, the exact technical architecture, timeline for rollout, and the government’s safeguards against algorithmic errors or bias were not detailed by the association at the press briefing. The Tourism department has convened consultations; further official notifications would be required to clarify operational specifics.
ASLVOCDWA leaders urged stakeholders to back the initiative and participate in the consultative process to ensure the platform benefits indigenous operators while maintaining compliance with security and conservation requirements.
