Waiver of Electricity Duty — West Bengal Tourism Incentive (5 Years) — Frequently Asked Questions
Answers to the questions founders most often ask about Waiver of Electricity Duty — West Bengal Tourism Incentive (5 Years) — who qualifies, the funding amount, required documents and how the application works.
Frequently asked questions
How much money does this scheme actually give me?
There is no fixed cash amount. The support comes as a subsidy in the form of a waiver on the electricity duty charged for power consumed at your approved project. Since the saving depends on how much electricity your unit uses, the value is described simply as 'varies'. Over the five-year window, your total benefit is whatever duty you would otherwise have had to pay.
For how long does the waiver run, and when does the clock start?
The waiver applies for a period of five years. It is counted from the date your project begins commercial operation, not from the date you file the application.
Which projects and units are eligible?
The scheme generally covers eligible tourism projects, individual units and expansion projects set up on or after February 22, 2021. Hotel units that commenced commercial operations between January 7, 2015 and December 31, 2020 are also eligible if they could not apply under a previous scheme because they lacked a Bar.
Can an older hotel that never applied before still come in?
Yes, subject to the stated conditions. A hotel unit that started commercial operations between January 7, 2015 and December 31, 2020 qualifies provided the reason it missed the earlier scheme was the absence of a Bar. Everything else — financing approvals and the three certificates — still has to be in place.
Who can own or operate an eligible unit?
The unit may belong to the private sector, the co-operative sector, or the joint sector. Companies and undertakings that are owned or managed by the State Government are also covered.
Do I need a feasibility report or a bank sanction to qualify?
Yes. The project has to be supported by a detailed feasibility report, and it must be approved and sanctioned by a Central Financial Institution, a Commercial Bank, or a State Financial Institution.
Which certificates are required, and who issues them?
Three certificates are needed: the Registration Certificate, the Date of Commencement Certificate, and the Eligibility Certificate. All three are issued by the West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation Limited, and an eligible unit applies for the electricity duty waiver only after securing them.
How do I apply for the waiver?
Everything happens online on the Shilpasathi portal. First register by clicking 'Create New', choosing your entity type (Industry, Business, Commercial, Charitable Society or Government entity) and entering the relevant registration number, then complete the User Registration form and click 'Register'. Existing users simply sign in with their User ID, password and Captcha. Once logged in, open 'ALL SERVICES' from the dashboard, tick the service named 'Tourism Incentive', click 'Create CAF' to generate a CAF ID, then choose 'Apply Online'. Fill in the common application form, attach the documents needed for the certificate, click 'Save & Continue', review the entries, tick the declaration box and hit 'Submit'. Updates at submission, approval or rejection stages arrive by SMS and email, and the approved Registration certificate can be downloaded from the system using 'Download Certificate'.
Is there a last date to apply?
No specific cut-off date is set — the deadline is rolling, meaning applications can be filed at any time. The sub-scheme itself, however, remains valid only until December 31, 2025.
Does the scheme take equity in my company?
No. This is a subsidy in the form of an electricity duty waiver, so it is non-dilutive. You do not give up any stake or ownership in return for the benefit.
What documents should I keep ready?
You will need the registration number of the entity being registered, a detailed feasibility report for the project, proof of approval and sanction from a Central Financial Institution, Commercial Bank or State Financial Institution, and the documents required for issue of the Registration, Date of Commencement and Eligibility Certificates. The completed common application form and the declaration must also be submitted on the portal.
Is DPIIT recognition required for Waiver of Electricity Duty — West Bengal Tourism Incentive (5 Years)?
No. DPIIT (Startup India) recognition is not listed as a mandatory requirement for Waiver of Electricity Duty — West Bengal Tourism Incentive (5 Years), though having it can strengthen your application and unlock other benefits.
Who is eligible to apply for Waiver of Electricity Duty — West Bengal Tourism Incentive (5 Years)?
Waiver of Electricity Duty — West Bengal Tourism Incentive (5 Years) is open to startups at any stage. It is open to startups registered anywhere in India.
Who offers Waiver of Electricity Duty — West Bengal Tourism Incentive (5 Years)?
Waiver of Electricity Duty — West Bengal Tourism Incentive (5 Years) is offered by Department of Tourism, Government of West Bengal, a government body. It is provided as non-dilutive funding.
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