“Subsidy for Quality Improvement” is a sub scheme under The West Bengal Incentive Scheme. It was launched on 22nd February, 2021 by the Department of Tourism, Government of West Bengal and remains valid up to 31st December, 2025.
- Objective of the West Bengal Incentive Scheme : The scheme aims to provide financial assistance to enthusiastic and prospective entrepreneurs, empowering self-employed youth to start businesses, become employers, and generate employment.
- Objective of the Subsidy for Quality Improvement Scheme : Through this incentive, an eligible unit is reimbursed for the fixed capital investment incurred for quality improvement, modernization, installation of pollution control devices, and for obtaining ISI/BIS/ISO certification.
Benefits
• 50%, subject to a maximum of ₹7,50,000.
Eligibility
• Applicable to all eligible tourism projects/units and expansion projects of existing units set up on or after 22nd February, 2021.
• Or, eligible Hotel Units that commenced commercial operations between 7th January, 2015 and 31st December, 2020 but could not apply under the previous 2015 scheme due to the absence of a bar.
• Units may belong to the private, co-operative, joint sector, or be State Government owned/managed.
• The project must be backed by a detailed feasibility report/project.
• Projects should have been approved and sanctioned by a Central Financial Institution, Commercial Bank, or State Financial Institution.
• The unit must hold a Registration Certificate, Date of Commencement Certificate, and Eligibility Certificate issued by the West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation Limited.
Exclusions
• Not applicable to tourism units already registered and sanctioned incentives under any previous scheme.
• Units that applied under WBIS 2015 before this scheme’s commencement, whose applications remain pending or have been deemed disposed of, are entitled only to benefits under WBIS 2015.
Application Process
Online Registration Process:
• Step 1: Visit the official Shilpasathi portal and click on ‘Apply online’.
• Step 2: A sign-up window appears; click ‘Create New’ for a new user.
• Step 3: Select the appropriate Industry/Business/Commercial/Charitable Society/Govt. entity and enter the corresponding Registration number.
• Step 4: Complete the User Registration form accurately and click ‘Register’. If already registered, click ‘Sign In’ and log in with your User ID, password, and Captcha code.
Online Application Process:
• Step 1: On the Shilpasathi portal, click ‘Apply online’.
• Step 2: Enter your username, password, and Captcha code (or sign in using your registered mobile number and OTP) and click ‘Log In’.
• Step 3: From the user dashboard, click ‘ALL SERVICES’ to access the desired service.
• Step 4: Select the checkbox next to ‘Tourism Incentive’.
• Step 5: Click ‘Create CAF’ to generate your CAF ID, then click ‘Apply Online’.
• Step 6: Fill in the common application form with the necessary details.
• Step 7: Attach the required documents for certificate issuance and click ‘Save & Continue’.
• Step 8: Confirm that the documents have been successfully uploaded.
• Step 9: Review your application and click the Declaration checkbox before hitting ‘Submit’.
• Step 10: Receive notifications via SMS and email at key processing stages.
• Step 11: Check your application status on the ‘Check status’ page.
• Step 12: Upon approval, download the Registration Certificate by clicking ‘Download Certificate’.
Note:
• Incentive processing requires obtaining the Registration Certificate, Date of Commencement Certificate, and Eligibility Certificate prior to receiving incentives.
• After receiving the Registration and Date of Commercial Operation Certificates, the tourism unit must apply to the Managing Director, West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation for the Eligibility Certificate, then proceed with online forms for various incentives.
Helpdesk:
• Address: Protiti, 23, Abanindranath Tagore Sarani (Camac Street), Kolkata – 700017, West Bengal, India.
• Phone: +91 33 2255 3700
• Fax: +91 33 2255 3737
• Email: [email protected]
• For technical issues, email: [email protected]
• Helpline (Toll free): 1800-345-5562
Documents Required
For Registration and Eligibility Certificate (Form I):
• A copy of the Memorandum and Articles of Association or Partnership agreement.
• A statement of names and addresses of the Director/Partners/Owners.
• Project Report.
• Valid No Objection Certificate from the Pollution Control Board.
• Valid No Objection Certificate from the West Bengal Fire Service.
• For loan cases: Photocopy of the Sanction letter from the relevant financial institution.
• Copy of the Audited Balance Sheet for the last 3 years with Income Tax acknowledgement.
• Estimate for Building and Plant & Machinery vetted by a Govt. Registered Valuer/Chartered Valuer.
• Land Deed and supporting documents (Mutation/ROR, Conversion Certificate, site plan, clearance from M.A. Deptt., etc.).
• All applicable clearances from Govt. authorities (Forest, CRZ, Police, etc.).
• Sarai Registration Certificate under the Bengal Sarai Regulation Act (for hotels commencing operations).
• Valid Trade License from the appropriate authority.
• GST Certificate and GST Return.
• Sanctioned Building Plan from the appropriate authority (KMC/Municipality/Panchayat, etc.).
For Subsidy for Quality Improvement Application:
• Schedule of Pollution Control Equipment purchased and installed.
• Documents showing cost and procurement dates of the equipment.
• Copy of the Certification from the appropriate authorities.
• Documents evidencing GST payment.
• A certificate from a Chartered Accountant as per Annexure-A1 (download available in attachment section).
• A certificate regarding fixed assets as per Annexure-B (download available).
• A certificate to be issued by the W.B. Pollution Control Board as per Annexure-C (download available).
• A certificate from the Director of Tourism, Govt. of West Bengal as per Annexure-A (download available).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Q: What areas are classified under Special Area for determining incentives?
A: Specific criteria defined in the guidelines identify Special Areas based on regional development needs.
Q: Which districts fall under Zone B for incentive classification?
A: The official guidelines specify the districts categorized as Zone B.
Q: What are the eligibility criteria for incentives under The West Bengal Incentive Scheme?
A: Eligibility includes being an eligible tourism unit/project, adherence to the prescribed dates, and possession of the required certificates and approvals.
Q: What is the procedure for claiming the Subsidy?
A: Claiming involves submitting periodic interest payment statements along with the required documents as verified by the lending institution.
Q: What is the significance of classifying areas into different zones?
A: Different zones receive varied subsidy percentages to address regional disparities and promote balanced development.
Q: Can tourism units/projects avail of incentives under both The West Bengal Incentive Scheme and other state schemes simultaneously?
A: No, tourism units registered under previous schemes cannot claim concurrent benefits.
Q: Is there any provision for units that have received incentives under other state schemes but wish to expand their projects?
A: Provisions exist subject to detailed eligibility criteria and regulatory conditions.
Q: What is the definition of Tourism Units?
A: Tourism Units are projects or establishments engaged in tourism-related activities as per the scheme guidelines.
Q: What constitutes an Approved Project?
A: An Approved Project is one that has been sanctioned by a recognized financial institution or bank.
Q: Is there any fee for obtaining the Registration and Eligibility Certificate and subsidies?
A: The scheme does not mandate an application fee for certificate issuance or subsidy processing.
Q: How can one check the status of a submitted application?
A: Applicants can log into the portal and view their status on the ‘Check status’ page.
Q: Can a user submit more than one application using the same login credentials?
A: Typically, a single user login supports one application process; refer to the guidelines for details on multiple submissions.
Q: How does the State Government verify the eligibility of tourism units/projects?
A: Verification is carried out through examination of certificates, feasibility reports, and approval letters submitted during registration.
Q: What measures are in place to prevent misuse of the subsidy scheme?
A: Robust verification processes and periodic audits are implemented to ensure appropriate fund utilization.
Q: Is there an appeal process if an application for incentives is rejected?
A: Yes, an appeal process is outlined in the official guidelines for rejected applications.