Meeting at the Ministry of Home Affairs

A meeting was convened by the Joint Secretary (F) MoH on 3 May 06. Salient points discussed and decisions arrived are as under:

• Levy of Peak Fee by the State Governments of Uttarakhand and Sikkim
  State Governments of Sikkim and Uttarakhand to consider suspending the ‘peak fee'. IMF to make a comprehensive paper analyzing the fee collected by neighbouring countries vis-à-vis fee charged by IMF and develop a competitive fee structure for peaks as also propose the increase in percentage share to States.
• Requirement of further clearance
  In conformity with single window approach, IMF may take necessary clearances from State Government authorities, wherever necessary and information on statutory or other requirements be shared with IMF by the State Governments.
• Restricting expeditions to only 83 peaks/routes by Uttarakhand State Government
  IMF to propose routes in respect of the closed peaks (which do not encompass any area under NDBDR), to State Government of Uttarakhand for consideration under appropriate law so that the same could be allowed if those routes do not violate the mandate under law.
• Restriction on number of team members and frequency of expedition on a particular peak by State Government of Uttarakhand
  IMF to prepare a paper along with recommendations based on best practices around the world on restrictions related to number of team members and frequency of expeditions to be discussed in Inter-Ministerial meeting along with State Governments so as to take a view on the matter.
• Provision of additional Liaison Officer by State Governments
  It was decided that State Governments may send names of LOs for inclusion in the panel to IMF for pre-vetting and such persons may be attached with an expedition in concerned State so that extra financial burden of attaching LO by States could be avoided.

• •  IMF to consider inclusion of all Himalayan States in its Governing Body so that State Governments concerned may be involved in the decision making process.

• IMF may take stock of foreign/joint expeditions and discuss shortfalls at the end of each mountaineering season and suggest how to overcome these in order to increase expeditions and revenue made there from. Such annual paper/report should be shared with all concerned.
• If feasible, IMF to hold its Governing Body meetings in different locations in Himalayan States so that wider consultation with respective States is made with transparency.

 

The aforesaid decisions of the meeting with MHA were discussed by the Governing Council at its 286 th meeting held on 8 Jul 06 in the presence of representatives of State Governments invited to attend the said meeting as special Invitees. The comparative table of existing fee structures of Nepal , Pakistan , China and India (IMF) and proposed IMF fee structure with number of persons in an expedition worked out by the IMF and approved by the Governing Council was sent to the MoH.

IMF has conveyed to the Ministry of Home Affairs that IMF is willing to consider increasing the State share from the existing 25% to 40% so as to over come the contemplated loss in revenues by the States for doing away with their levies. The State Governments views in this respect are still awaited by the Ministry of Home Affairs.