West Bengal Incentive Scheme: Additional Incentive on Generation of Employment is a government scheme by the Department of Tourism designed to support local entrepreneurship. Through this scheme, eligible tourism units receive reimbursement for their contributions toward ESI and EPF, helping businesses lower operational costs while promoting new job opportunities across the state.
The scheme was launched on 22nd February 2021 and remained valid until 31st December 2025. The state government has now prepared a draft of the new West Bengal Tourism Industry Benefits Scheme, 2026, which will guide tourism incentives in the coming period. Tourism units that had already availed full benefits under the 2021 scheme will not be covered again under the new framework.
West Bengal Incentive Scheme: Additional Incentive on Generation of Employment - Introduction
West Bengal Incentive Scheme: Additional Incentive on Generation of Employment works as a supportive scheme for tourism-related businesses. It was launched on 22nd February 2021 by the Department of Tourism and encouraged budding entrepreneurs to establish their own ventures, which in turn created a stronger employment landscape.
This scheme targets tourism units by offering financial relief on statutory contributions, including Employees State Insurance (ESI) and Employees Provident Fund (EPF). By covering a portion of these costs, it helped businesses focus on expanding operations and nurturing their workforce. With the 2021 scheme period now over, the new 2026 draft scheme is expected to carry forward similar support for tourism units in West Bengal.
Key Information
| Key Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | West Bengal Incentive Scheme: Additional Incentive on Generation of Employment |
| Level | State |
| Scheme For | Infra |
| Beneficiary State | West Bengal |
| Nodal Department | Tourism Department |
| Launch Date | 22nd February 2021 |
| Validity | Up to 31st December 2025 |
| Benefit Type | Cash Reimbursement |
Benefits
Eligible units received significant financial support for their ESI and EPF contributions based on their operational zone:
| Area Category | Incentive Duration | Reimbursement Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Group A, B, C & D | 5 Years | 60% |
| Special Areas | 10 Years | 60% |
Eligibility
This scheme supported tourism projects or units that started their operations on or after 22nd February 2021. Hotels that commenced operations between 7th January 2015 and 31st December 2020 but missed out on previous incentives due to the lack of a bar facility were also eligible to apply.
The unit had to belong to the private, co-operative, or joint sector, or be managed by the State Government. Applicants needed a valid Registration Certificate, a Date of Commencement Certificate, and an Eligibility Certificate issued by the West Bengal Tourism Development Corporation Limited. The project also had to have a formal feasibility report and be sanctioned by a recognized bank or financial institution.
Exclusions
If a tourism unit already received incentives under a previous government scheme, it could not claim benefits under this policy. Units that applied for the 2015 version of this scheme with a pending or previously settled case continued to receive benefits under that older framework rather than the current one.
Application Process
Applications for tourism incentives were submitted through the official Shilpasathi portal. The steps are given below.
STEP 1 - Visit the official Shilpasathi portal and click on the 'Apply online' button. New users should click on 'Create New' and select their entity type before entering the registration number.
STEP 2 - After registration, log in with the user ID and password, or sign in using the registered mobile number and OTP.
STEP 3 - On the dashboard, click on 'All Services' and select the 'Tourism Incentive' checkbox to proceed.
STEP 4 - Create the Common Application Form (CAF) ID, fill in the required project details, and double-check all information.
STEP 5 - Upload the necessary documents as prompted and click on 'Save & Continue' to finish the upload.
STEP 6 - Review the filled application, check the declaration box, and click on 'Submit'.
STEP 7 - Track the application status on the dashboard. SMS and email notifications are sent at every milestone.
STEP 8 - Once approved by the authorities, the registration certificate can be downloaded directly from the system.
Documents
To apply for the Registration and Eligibility Certificates, applicants had to prepare the following documents:
- Memorandum and Articles of Association or partnership agreement, along with a statement of names and addresses of directors, partners, or owners.
- Comprehensive project report, audited balance sheets for the last three years with income tax acknowledgments, and sanctioned building plans.
- Clearance certificates from the Pollution Control Board, Fire Service, and other relevant local authorities, plus land records and trade license.
For the specific employment incentive, applicants also needed records of ESI/EPF contributions, worker details such as name, age, and date of appointment, and employment exchange card numbers.
Definitions
Eligible Unit: Any new or expanding tourism business that holds a registration certificate and an eligibility certificate from the appropriate state authority.
Zone Classifications: Locations are divided into Zones A, B, C, D, and Special Areas based on their administrative and geographic regions, which determine the incentive tenure.
References
Official Guidelines (Kolkata Gazette) | West Bengal Tourism Incentive Scheme
FAQ's
What areas are classified under 'Special Area'?
Special areas include the districts of Paschim Medinipur, Bankura, Purulia, Jhargram, and specific blocks in the Sundarbans region across North and South 24 Parganas.
Can I apply for incentives if I have already received them from another state scheme?
No, you cannot double-dip between different state incentive schemes. You must choose the one that best fits your project requirements.
Are there any fees for submitting an application?
No, the entire process for obtaining registration, eligibility certificates, and subsidies is free of charge.
How can I check the status of my application?
Simply log in to your dashboard on the Shilpasathi portal and click on the 'Details' link next to your application to view its history and current status.