A meeting of the State Cabinet has decided to amend the land Auction Disposal Policy-2008 (as amended in 2014) for Government land allotted to the Tourism Department to promote tourism in the State.
Accordingly, collector guidelines prescribed for per hectare price (similar to that) will be applied to prescribe offset price of land and fixation of stamp and registration fee for transactions of immoveable property. But the total offset price will be Rs 1 lakh for disposal of heritage buildings and subsidiary lands. For disposal, identification and selection of heritage buildings and adjoining lands will be made by a coordination committee headed by the Chief Secretary.
Chaired by Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the State Cabinet's maiden meeting of its own kind in the country at Hanuwantiya in Khandwa district held intensive brainstorming over development of tourism in the State.
The Chief Minister said that on the lines of agriculture cabinet, a tourism cabinet will be constituted to translate the State's tourism potential into reality. He said that the scenario of this backwaters of Indira Sagar is like an international tourist spot. This is a unique place since the island is situated in the midst of Asia's largest manmade water body. The Madhya Pradesh Government will develop it as a distinct tourist spot.
Cabinet members put forth various important suggestions at the meeting. Secretary to CM and Tourism Hari Ranjan Rao gave a presentation on 'Tourism Challenges and Possibilities in Madhya Pradesh'.
The distance of Hanuwantiya tourist complex in Khandwa district is 130 km from Indore. It is 150 km from Maheshwar and 85 km from Omkareshwar. By different routes from Bhopal, the distance of Hanuwantiya is 300 to 350 km.
The Jal-Mahotsav will be held there from February 12 to 21 by the Tourism Department. During the festival, thrilling and adventure activities will be held. Madhya Pradesh's multi-hued folk culture will be visible during the festival. One can savour different dishes at the food bazaar also.
The Cabinet meeting on cruise 'Narmada Queen' at Hanuwantiya is a significant step to tap the immense possibilities of water tourism in Madhya Pradesh.