Govt spent nil sum on tourism

MoUs worth Rs 10,000 crore signed last year

Though the state government has organised two mega events to promote tourism in the state in the last 10 months, it has spent not a single rupee on the sector from April to June 2003 and from April to June 2004. This perhaps explains the state of affairs at hotels and establishments run by the Tourism Corporation of Gujarat Ltd (TCGL).

Incidentally, of the many Memorandum of Understandings (MoUs) worth Rs 10,000 crore investment that were signed in the tourism sector in the state, just about one-tenth have reached the implementation stage. Four major projects in the sector worth Rs 1,060 crore are at present in different stages of implementation.

Asked about the bad state of affairs of the state-run hotels and restaurants, Chief Minister Narendra Modi said that it was good that the condition of the `Toran' chain of hotels of TCGL was brought to his notice. "We will definitely look into the matter and do something about it."

However, when asked if the government was thinking of privatising the Toran chain of hotels, he said that this will be taken up at a later stage.

The Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy (CMIE) has said in its October issue, that from April to June 2003 government has spent nothing for tourism sector. Similarly, this year too not a single rupee has been spent on the tourism sector. While having corporates sponsoring events is not a bad idea, the state also requires to spend money on improving facilities at various tourism spots in the state.

A recent study by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) on tourism in the state, has said that places of tourist attraction lack basic facilities.

Quoting a Dalal Mott MacDonald study done for the state government, the CII stated that almost all tourist destinations have found to be lacking basic and infrastructure facilities such as water, approach roads, local conveyance, medical facilities, accommodation, power supply, street lights and sign boards for tourists.

The report, Tourism in Gujarat - The Way Ahead, was prepared in July 2003, recommended upgradation and maintenance of state highways, upkeep and renovation of archaelogical monuments and strengthening infrastructure facilities at pilgrimage destinations. It recommends decent staying facilities if not luxury ones at pilgrimage destinations.