State Tourism Minister Dinesh Dhanai addressed Ministers of all State Governments and Union Territory Administration with regard to the current state of tourism and development in the state post last year’s natural calamity. During the meet, the Minister also put forward few proposals to restore the tourism industry in the state.
To provide extension of time-limit for completion of the sanctioned projects: To provide financial assistance to cluster scheme under rural tourism programme: Relaxation of stuck NOCs: The Jankichatti-Yamunotri and Thuligadd-Purnagiri, Kaddukhal-Surkanda Devi ropeway projects are being implemented by Uttarakhand Tourism Development Board (UTDB) on the PPP mode. Relaxation of stuck NOCs from Union Ministry of Environment and Forests on proposals to establish ropeways at different sites including, Hemkund Sahib, Kedarnath and Dayara-Bugyal.
To allow the use of stuck funds of sanctioned programmes of the Tourism Ministry as a kitty for other welfare programmes: Change of interest paying ratio; To allow the state govt to shift the sanctioned projects at another place within the region; To provide special financial package for publicity and marketing of tourism industry in U’khand: Financial assistance of Rs 5 crore each for the Tehri Special Area Development Authority and Kedarnath Development Authority; The Centre should provide the status of “special state” to U’khand; To promote “Bed and breakfast” programme; There is a need to abolish the 150-year-old “Sarai Act”; The U’khand govt has proposed to install “Web-Cam” at around 200 select tourists spots.
To UTDB as a nodal agency to streamline the programme: With the help of Union tourism ministry, the programme “Hunar se Rozgar tak” is being progressed by the UTDB, besides Garhwal Mandal Vikas Nigam and Kumaun Mandal Vikas Nigam separately in which the authorities are facing few problems like data matching and training schedule.