Tourist permit may be scrapped

The government may scrap the restricted area permit (RAP) required to visit some areas in the North East. It has also announced allocating Rs 78.6 crore for tourism infrastructure in the region.

"We have written to the home ministry seeking removal of RAP which is part of British legacy. They are considering it," Tourism Minister Renuka Chowdhury said here today.

She was addressing the 'National Conference on Tourism: India's North East Paradise Unexplored', organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

Chowdhury also announced that the government had sanctioned a Rs 450 crore special development package for the development of highways in the region.

The minister also underlined the need for developing tourism infrastructure in the North-East without disturbing its fragile ecology.

Air connectivity with the North East and rest of the country was bound to increase with the civil aviation boom, and the region would need to create residential, transport and related facilities to meet the demand, she said.

The government was also actively considering granting visa-on-arrival to tourists, besides planning several campaigns to mark 60 years of India's independence and the Commonwealth Games in 2010.

Chowdhury also said the key to attract tourists to the North East would be to maintain the uniqueness of the region. "I do not want the eight sisters to look like each other. They must be projected uniquely and differently," she said.

To provide central assistance to the state governments, the Centre had launched two schemes.

"While Integrated Development of Tourism Circuits Scheme envisages identifying and developing tourism circuits in the country through coordinated action with other departments, state governments and private sector, the Product and Destination Development Scheme focuses on providing assistance for tourist complexes, wayside amenities, refurbishment of monuments, etc," the minister said.

In 2003-04, Rs 96.83 crore had been invested to develop 17 circuits and for 2004-05, the outlay has been fixed at Rs 85 crore.

The government is also providing financial assistance to the northeast states to promote the use of information technology for tourism promotion.

"Provision has been made in the Tenth Plan to the extent of Rs 100 crore for the use of IT in tourism promotion," Chowdhury added.