MoT Gears Up For Commonwealth Games

ET&T Staff - Mumbai

The Ministry of Tourism has earmarked Rs 488 crore for tourism projects in various states for the current financial year without any pre-condition of matching grant. States have to be ensured timely completion of these projects and regular submission of report to the centre for future planning.

This was stressed by the Minister of State for Tourism, Renuka Chowdhury while taking a review of tourism projects in the states. Expressing concern over slow implementation in some cases, she said that the condition of matching grant from the state has been waived off. Instead, the states have to ensure only availability of land for getting 100 per cent financial support from the centre. She urged the states to actively consider redefining land use norms to facilitate construction of budget accommodation, rationalisation of various taxes in the tourism industry and single-window clearance for tourism projects.

She also suggested that the states adopt eco-friendly practices at tourist destinations and to keep their role limited to infrastructure development. Chowdhury also insisted that public-private partnership be promoted to boost tourism wherever possible. She informed that a review of 'restricted area permit' for North East is under active consideration of the government. A special publicity campaign has been planned for the region and highest ever allocation has been made for it during 2005-06 to promote tourism.

The minister asked the states to plan integrated tourism projects and complete them in advance for the 2010 Commonwealth Games. States around Delhi have been asked to have short and long duration packages to offer visitors during the Games and submit them for further approval by the Group of Ministers constituted for the Games.

Sixteen states participated in a meeting held to ensure speedy implementation of on-going tourism projects and identify potential destinations. All states have submitted proposals for development plans as far as tourist destinations are concerned and have asked for assistance from the Central Tourism Ministry. They have also requested for financial support for upgrading existing accommodation infrastructure and have identified new tourism destinations and types of tourism including eco-tourism and rural tourism.