Telangana Tourism's plan to implement the TS-Industrial Project Approval and Self-Certification System (TS-iPASS) service, in addition of improving rapid processing for the issuance of different licences and clearances for the establishment of hotels, resorts, tourism events and other activities, will also help maintain accurate data on state tourism businesses.

Proposed Telangana's Tourism Order

There is presently no procedure for registering tourism trading enterprises, which is necessary to promote tourism business activities in the state. This will also instil order in the industry and help preserve the statistical information needed for tourism planning and growth, officials from the Department said.

Taking these factors into account, the TS-iPASS service was initiated by Telangana Tourism in order to encourage investors in the establishment and operation of their unit and to mandate the delivery of services provided by the Department on a time-bound basis, Tourism Minister V Srinivas Goud said after formally launching the portal last week.

Under the current policy, the Minister indicated that if an entrepreneur plans to build a hotel, he needs to obtain clearances and approvals from 15 authorities, including fire services, pollution control boards, municipalities, etc. (hotels require 15 approvals, travel agency need two permissions and tourism events to need two approvals).

The whole time-consuming process is history now. Applicants, as well as those setting up hotels, resorts, travel agencies and event management companies, can now apply for TS-iPASS portal permissions through the user-friendly online single window system.

In the situation that any agency fails to clear the application, the delay will be held responsible and, what is more, the application will be considered to have been accepted after 30 days, he said. Stern action against officers shall be taken who are working without the approval of the Department.

By: Shailaja K