The Weekend Leader - Rudy, Hema urge Centre to expedite pending tourism projects

Rudy, Hema urge Centre to expedite pending tourism projects

New Delhi

08-July-2019

 BJP MPs Rajiv Pratap Rudy and Hema Malini on Monday expressed their dissatisfaction in the Lok Sabha over the Centre not giving adequate attention to tourism projects in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh in the last five years, as they urged the government to expedite the pending projects.

Rudy alleged that "no step" has been taken by the Union Tourism Ministry for the development of the Sonpur cattle fair in his state saying "there is no eco-tourism for Bihar."

Raising the issue during the Question Hour, the MP from Bihar's Saran constituency said his pleas are not being considered by the Centre despite his repeated requests for development of the fair for the last three years.

Noting that he submitted this proposal to the Centre on March 9, 2018, Rudy said that whenever he approaches officers of the ministers he is told of a new law for development that it is still pending with the government. 

Malini, MP from Uttar Pradesh's Mathura, said there has been no action for development of Mathura, Vrindavan, Barsana, Govardhan and Nandgaon under the Krishna circuit which was established by Tourism Ministry five years ago along with the Ramayana and Buddha circuits.

Stating that the project will provide jobs to several youths, the legislator said: "I am hesitant in saying that neither enough work was done in this direction in last five years nor expeditious work is being done right now.

"What is the government's plan to finish the Krishna circuit project on time and expeditiously?" she asked.

However, Tourism Minister Prahlad Singh Patel said all development projects related to tourism have to come from the state governments.

The central government has received only applications whereas any such proposal has to come with a detailed project report (DPR), he said.

Rudy said he had submitted a DPR too and if the officials did not bring it under the consideration of the minister, then it was a matter of privilege against the officials concerned.

Patel said the Tourism Ministry has identified eco-tourism as one of the niche tourism products for promotion and development including in Bihar to attract tourists with specific interest and ensure repeat visits for unique products in which India has a comparative advantage vis-vis competing destinations.

The ministry is promoting eco-tourism as part of the Incredible India 2.0 campaign in domestic and overseas markets.

The minister said tourist attractions are being showcased on the Incredible India website and these destinations and niche tourism products are also being promoted on a regular basis by India tourism offices in exhibitions and fairs in India and abroad.

He said 15 thematic circuits have been identified for development including themes covering all religious and spiritual sites in the country such as Spiritual Circuit, Ramayana Circuit, Krishna Circuit, Buddhist Circuit, Tirthankar Circuit and Sufi Circuit. IANS 



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