Ladakh STP Incentive Scheme 2025

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भारत सरकार

GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

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असाधारण

EXTRAORDINARY

एस.जी.-एल.डी.-अ.-17122025-1671

SG-LD-E-17122025-1671

प्राधकिार से प्रकाशति

PUBLISHED BY AUTHORITY

लद्दाख, 17 दसिंबर, 2025

LADAKH, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER, 17, 2025

Part II - Section 3

के न्द्र-शासति प्रदेश लद्दाख प्रशानि ADMINISTRATION OF UNION TERRITORY OF LADAKH

NOTIFICATION

Subject: Ladakh STP Incentive Scheme, 2025.

The Tourism Department, Union Territory of Ladakh hereby notifies the Ladakh STP Incentive Scheme, 2025.

Encl.: As above.

UT Ladakh

17.12.2025 Copy to the:

1. Joint Secretary (JKL), Ministry of Home Affairs, New Delhi.

2. Member Secretary, Ladakh Pollution Control Committee for information & necessary action.

3. Deputy Commissioner/CEO, LAHDC, Leh/Kargil for information & necessary action.

4. Director, Tourism Department, Ladakh for information & necessary action.

5. Technical Director, NIC, Ladakh with the request to upload the notification on the official website of the UT Administration Ladakh and District Websites of Leh and Kargil districts.

6. Joint Director DIPR for information and wide publicity.

7. Assistant Director, Tourism Department, Leh/Kargil for information & necessary action.

8. OSD to the Hon'ble Lieutenant Governor, Ladakh for kind information of the Hon'ble LG.

9. Private Secretary to the Hon'ble Chairman/CEC, LAHDC, Leh/Kargil for kind information of the Hon'ble CECs.

10. Private Secretary to Worthy Chief Secretary for kind information of the Chief Secretary.

11. Office file.

Sewage Treatment Plant (STP)

Incentive Scheme, 2025

(For Environment Protection and Public Health Regulations)

Issuing Authority:

Department of Tourism, Union Territory of Ladakh

1. Preamble

In view of the fragile ecology of the Union Territory of Ladakh, the increasing pressure of tourism on local resources, and the need for sustainable wastewater management, the Department of Tourism, UT Ladakh, introduces the Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) Incentive Scheme, 2025, aimed at promoting the installation of decentralized Sewage Treatment Plants (STPs) in accommodation units (hotels and guesthouses with room count from 10 to 19 rooms) and thereby ensuring the protection of the region's natural environment and public health.

The STP Incentive Scheme is aligned with the "Guidelines for Regulation of Hotels and Restaurants under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act-1974 and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act-1981", issued by the Ladakh Pollution Control Committee (LPCC) Vide Order No. 16 of LPCC, dated 06.08.2025 (enclosed for reference).

2. Background

The Union Territory of Ladakh, with its pristine landscapes, rich cultural heritage, and sensitive ecological balance, faces acute challenges related to water scarcity and wastewater

management, particularly during the peak tourist season. Accommodation units such as hotels and guesthouses form the backbone of the tourism economy but, without adequate sewage treatment, risk polluting local water bodies, degrading ecosystems, and harming public health.

Climate change and increasing tourist activity are compounding pressures on Ladakh's limited water resources. In view of this, the Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) Incentive Scheme, 2025 is framed to financially assist accommodation units with room count of 10 to 19 rooms, in installing decentralized STPs.

3. Vision

To promote clean and sustainable waste management practices across accommodation units in UT Ladakh, encouraging responsible tourism supported by robust sewage treatment

infrastructure, thereby enhancing public health standards and environmental sustainability.

4. Applicability

The Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) Incentive Scheme, 2025 shall apply to hotels and guesthouses operating in the Union Territory of UT Ladakh that meet the following minimum criteria:

• New and existing hotels and guesthouses operating in the Union territory of Ladakh with room count of 10 to 19 rooms.

• Should be Provisionally or Permanently registered with the Department of Tourism, UT Ladakh.

• Should have relevant permissions or No Objection Certificate (NOC) to operate the hotel/ guesthouse in UT Ladakh, as issued by the Competent Authorities from time to time.

5. Norms of Ladakh Pollution Control Committee (LPCC)

As per LPCC Order No. 16 of LPCC, dated 06.08.2025, all hotels or guesthouses having 7-19 rooms, or hotels with an attached restaurant seating up to 35 patrons, shall be eligible for Consent to Establish and Operate from Ladakh Pollution Control Committee (LPCC) subject to rigorous compliance with the following conditions:

• The hotels must maintain a fully functional septic tank of sufficient capacity, serviced regularly and operated in an efficient manner at all times.

• All effluent from kitchen and laundry operations must first pass through a well-designed oil and grease trap, prior to discharge into municipal sewers or drainage systems.

• The treated effluent must comply with the effluent quality standards prescribed by MoEF&CC vide Notification No. G.S.R. 794 (E), dated 04/11/2009 and relevant CPCB/LPCC norms.

Note: While the installation of a decentralized STP is not mandatory for obtaining CTE/ CTO, hotels and guesthouses with room count of 10 to 19 rooms are encouraged to install one and avail the benefits under the Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) Incentive Scheme, 2025.

6. Incentive

All eligible hotels and guesthouses operating in the Union Territory of Ladakh intending to install decentralized STPs shall be reimbursed the cost of the equipment as below:

Note: To support women entrepreneurs, the maximum quantum of incentive shall be raised by an additional amount of 10% across each category for a hotel or guesthouse owned by a woman resident of the Union Territory of Ladakh.

The eligible expense shall include the cost of equipment, installation charges, transportation, and consultancy fee. Expenses related to Goods and Services Tax (GST), or any other non- listed item will not be considered as eligible expenses.

7. Incentive Disbursal Framework

To avail incentive under the Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) Incentive Scheme, 2025, the eligible applicant shall follow the following framework:

a) The STP must be installed by the applicant based on any suitable technology approved by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) or Ladakh Pollution Control Committee (LPCC), ensuring the treated discharge meets LPCC approved discharge standards.

b) The applicant shall obtain the 'Consent to Establish (CTE)' and 'Consent to Operate (CTO)' from the LPCC.

c) Once the above requirements are met, the applicant shall apply to the Prescribed Authority i.e. Assistant Director (Tourism), Leh or Kargil, with the following documents:

• Request in the Prescribed Format (Annexure 1) for availing incentive under the Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) Incentive Scheme, 2025, with details of the applicant, the unit, and the installed STP

• Copy of valid Consent to Operate (CTO) from LPCC

• Valid Registration Certificate (Provisional or Permanent) from the Department of Tourism, UT Ladakh

• GST invoices and payment proof for eligible expenses related to STP installationLADAKH GAZETTE : EXTRAORDINARY d) Upon verification of the above documents, the Prescribed Authority shall reimburse the eligible quantum of incentive directly into the applicant's Aadhaar-seeded bank account via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

8. General Conditions

• An applicant who has already availed similar incentive for the same hotel or guesthouse under any Policy/ Scheme of the Government of India, Administration of Union Territory of Ladakh, or Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council (LAHDC) shall not be eligible.

• The Department of Tourism, UT Ladakh reserves the right to modify the terms & conditions of the Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) Incentive Scheme, 2025, from time to time, as deemed appropriate.

• Non-compliance with LPCC standards after installation of the STP shall lead to recovery of the incentive amount and may invite action under applicable environmental laws.

• The responsibility for installation, operation and maintenance of the decentralised STP shall rest solely with the applicant. The Department of Tourism, UT Ladakh shall not be held liable for any operational lapses, penalties, or legal actions resulting from non- compliance with LPCC standards or other applicable environmental regulations.

• The Prescribed Authority, in consultation with the Ladakh Pollution Control Committee (LPCC), reserves the right to conduct periodic inspections to verify compliance with prescribed discharge standards at any time, as and when required.

• Incentives under the Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) Incentive Scheme, 2025 shall be disbursed only after satisfactory commissioning and functioning of the decentralised STP.

If the STP is later found to be non-

functional or not in regular operation after the incentive has been availed, the incentive amount shall be recovered from the beneficiary.

• The Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) Incentive Scheme, 2025 is a voluntary incentive scheme to promote the installation of decentralized STPs in hotels and guesthouses with room count of 10 to 19 rooms.

• The Department of Tourism, UT Ladakh shall not be responsible for the operation, maintenance or future replacement or upgradation cost of the STP.

Annexure 1

Applicant's Signature:

Date:

Location:

Annexure 2

Self-Declaration

I, (Name of the Applicant), son/daughter/wife of (Father/Husband Name), aged (Age), residing at (Address), do hereby solemnly affirm and declare as follows:

• That I am the owner of (Name of the Hotel/Guesthouse) __________________________, located at (Address of the Hotel/Guesthouse) ___________________________________, which is registered with the Department of Tourism, UT Ladakh, bearing Registration No. _______________________.

• That I have installed a decentralized Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) at my accommodation unit aligned with the 'Guidelines for Regulation of Hotels and Restaurants under the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act-1974 and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act-1981, issued by the Ladakh Pollution Control Committee (LPCC) Vide Order No. 16 of LPCC, Dated 06.08.2025.

• That I have obtained the necessary permissions, including the Consent to Establish (CTE) and Consent to Operate (CTO) from the Ladakh Pollution Control Committee (LPCC).

• That I am applying for the incentive under the Sewage Treatment Plant (STP) Incentive Scheme, 2025 and have attached all required documents, including GST invoices and payment proof for eligible expenses.

• That I understand that any false declaration may lead to the recovery of the incentive amount and may invite action under applicable environmental laws.

• That whatsoever stated above is true and correct.

Deponent Applicant Verification:

Verified at (place) ______________ on this the (day) _________ of (month) ____________, (year) _________ that the contents of the above self-declaration are true and correct to the best of my knowledge and belief and nothing has been concealed therein.

Deponent/ApplicantLADAKH GAZETTE : EXTRAORDINARY

"No legal responsibility is accepted for the contents of publication of advertisements/publications in this part of The

Ladakh Gazette. Persons notifying the advertisements/public notices will remain solely responsible for the legal

consequences and also for any other misrepresentation etc."