Intimating to service users as provided in clause 8(ii).
Being bound by obligations laid down for the service provider under Part V.
Providing registration for eligible service providers as under the clause 5 as per the procedure laid down in clause 7.
Providing Grievance Redressal Mechanism by creating Dispute Settlement Tribunal as provided under Part III.
The Bill mandates by section 4, that every person carrying on or commencing the business of providing shipping service shall be registered under this Act.
Tourism
Singapore 22:
We note with interest India's various initiatives to promote itself as a tourism destination (WT/TPR/S/249, page 174 – 178). The Secretariat's report has also mentioned this as a sector with good growth potential. Despite these efforts however, (i) foreign presence is not allowed in travel agencies, tour operator or tourist transport operation; (ii) multiple taxes are placed on tourism services at the central and state level; and (iii) high service tax are placed on tourism services providers.
Will these policies be revised in view of India's current tourism promotion efforts? Would India be able to indicate the prospects for liberalisation in the tourism sector and the easing of these restrictions?
Reply: Hotel and tourism sector has been open for FDI upto 100% on automatic basis. The Ministry of Tourism grants approval/recognition and not licensing to the various service providers in the categories of inbound tour operators, domestic tour operators, tourist transport operator, adventure tour operator and travel agencies as per the revised guidelines dated 18.07.2011. The aim and objective of the scheme for recognition of service providers in all the said five categories is to encourage them to improve their quality standard and service so as to promote tourism in India and abroad. The FDI in hotel sector has been increasing since April 2000.
Thus India has a liberal policy in the sector to promote foreign investment. India has also offered market access to tourist guides services up to a total ceiling of 500 tourist guides conversant in Chinese, Spanish, Portuguese, French and Japanese languages.
Professional Services
Singapore 23:
We note with interest that unlike India's 2007 TPR, the current TPR report does not contain information with respect to professional services. Could India share updates that might have taken place with respect to foreign participation in professional services, in sectors such as the engineering, legal, and medical services sector which had been previously reported on?
