Sikkim Shifts Permit Fee Accounts Ahead of Digital Overhaul

Gangtok: Sikkim is overhauling how it collects cash for Restricted Area Permits. Starting October 1, 2026, the state will move all fee deposits to a new account. The Tourism and Civil Aviation Department issued notice 245/PERMIT/T&Cav/26-27 on September 16 to mandate this shift. It replaces the old MH: 1452/Tourism/800/Others revenue head.

Stakeholders must now use the State Bank of Sikkim for all transactions. The new code is 1452,00,800,02,00. Officials want to stop accounting errors before the system upgrades. "The revised arrangement is an interim measure and will remain in force until the proposed Integrated Online Permit System becomes operational," the department noted.

This change acts as a bridge toward a single-window, digital permit platform. Once that system goes live, all payments will move to a dedicated digital gateway. The Joint Director for the department signed off on the directive. Every dealing hand must follow the new rules to ensure smooth financial reconciliation.