Editor,
I am an Indian citizen, my home is in Assam. I and two of my friends had decided to visit Tawang. We had applied for group ILP through Government of Arunachal Pradesh’s e-ILP portal (https://arunachalilp.com).
I have applied three times and my application was rejected thrice.
My first application ID 340887, submitted on 18 September 2022 was rejected and the reason cited was “member’s documents not mentioned, communicate with Eastland Tour and Travels, Tezpur (8638139981) for pass.”
My second application ID 343771, submitted on 25 September 2022 was rejected and the reason cited was “Local address not mentioned properly, communicate with Eastland Tour and Travels, Tezpur (8638139981) for pass.”
My third application ID 344374 submitted on 26 September 2022 was rejected and the reason cited was “member’s documents not mentioned, communicate with Eastland Tour and Travels, Tezpur (8638139981) for pass.”
After having these digital interactions with the government of Arunachal Pradesh, I came to the conclusion that the government wanted me to give a phone call to Eastland Tour and Travels because after, all the messages I received was coming directly from the government of Arunachal Pradesh’s e-ILP portal.
The nature of confusion which arises in my mind is regarding the identity of this strange entity named “Eastland Tour and Travels.” The questions I seem to be asking myself is “Who are they?” “What role do they play in this entire sequence of events which culminate in the release of an ILP, which is after all a document released by an authorized government agency?” “If the government itself is vouching emphatically for them, are they equally powerful as the government of Arunachal Pradesh and do they have same authority as the government?”
I checked some samples of ILPs issued by the government of Arunachal Pradesh and belonging to my friends and nowhere could I locate any signature or stamp in which the name “Eastland Tour and Travels” is mentioned.
When I looked up in google, I saw that it is a local travel agency in north east India. They run passenger vehicles from Guwahati/Tezpur to Tawang.
I was having a variety of suspicious thoughts while I mulled over this matter, but at all times, I had this constant feeling which reassured me that the government of India will always show me the right path. After a while, I thought to myself that maybe I will get a better monetary deal there with them i.e. Eastland Tour and Travels and that was the reason may be why I was re-directed to this Eastland Tours and Travels.
When I contacted them, they said the cost of ILP will be 200/- which is exactly double that of the rate mentioned in the government ILP portal (which is 100/- for group ILP). So now, I found out that even the rate of getting ILP was more. Now I became more confused as to why I am being constantly routed towards this Eastland Tour and Travels.
The Tawang festival will start from the 29 of October and I had very much desired to be a part of the festivities this time but it seems goddess Donyi is not very sympathetic towards my wishes. My application has already been rejected thrice.
I am unsure of what really is going on but I do sincerely hope that the thousands of people who are trying to visit Tawang are not facing this same problem. Frankly speaking, I am not so bright a person and hence I am leaving the resolving of this issue to more able and intelligent people of Arunachal Pradesh who, I believe have the best interests for all in their hearts. Let them decide who has the sole authority in dealing with such important public matters, the government or travel companies.
Pushkal Bagchie