The Centre released more money than that earmarked in the budget to boost tourism in the North Eastern region, the Rajya Sabha was informed today.
Tourism Minister Kumari Selja said in the Question Hour that during the current year, Rs 112 crore has been released so far as against an allocation of Rs 100 crore in the budget.
"North East region receives our utmost attention. 10 per cent (of union budget for tourism) is allocated for North East," she said.
While development and promotion of tourism was primarily undertaken by the state governments, Union Tourism Ministry provided financial assistance for projects under 'Infrastructure development of tourism destinations/circuits.'
The number of domestic tourists visiting the North Eastern sates increased from 44.57 lakh in 2006 to 51.45 lakh in 2008 while 39,000 foreigners toured the region in 2006 and 48,000 in 2008.
Of this, 36.17 lakh domestic tourist visited Assam in 2008, up from 32.69 lakh in 2006. Foreign tourists visiting the state rose to 14,000 from 11,000 in 2006, she said.
"There has been an increase in tourist traffic in Assam during 2006 to 2008," she said.
"To boost tourism in NE, the government has given relaxation to its employees to travel by air and convert one block of home town Leave Travel Concession (LTC) into LTC for destinations in the NE," she added.
