Gangtok: The Sikkim BJP has lodged complaints with the State Vigilance Department, Police Accountability Commission and Sikkim Lokayukta, seeking an immediate investigation and registration of an FIR wherever offences are found to have been committed in connection with an alleged Rs 27-crore irregularity in Restricted Area Permit (RAP) and Protected Area Permit (PAP) revenue.
Copies of the complaints have also been forwarded to the Ministry of Home Affairs and the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, seeking appropriate intervention, the State BJP said in a media statement on Friday.
The action followed Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang-Golay’s public admission regarding a financial discrepancy in the tourism permit system, the party said.
According to figures cited by the Chief Minister, against an estimated Rs 31 crore in RAP and PAP revenue in 2025, only Rs 3.64 crore was deposited into the State Treasury, leaving a gap of around Rs 27 crore.
The BJP said the discrepancy raised questions over the whereabouts of public revenue and whether similar irregularities had occurred in previous years.
“This cannot be dismissed as mere administrative negligence,” the party said, alleging that the discrepancy raised concerns over possible financial leakage, misappropriation and accountability.
The BJP demanded a complete audit of RAP/PAP revenue for the past five years, year-wise disclosure of revenue collected and deposited, identification and prosecution of those found responsible, and recovery of any lost public funds.
It also demanded that the state government issue a White Paper on the matter.
The party said the proposed AI-based online permit system could improve transparency in future but should not overshadow alleged financial irregularities of the past.
