The Uttar Pradesh government today approved heritage tourism policy with an eye on promoting tourism to historical forts and palaces in the state.
The decision was taken during a meeting of the state cabinet chaired by Chief Minister Akhilesh Yadav, an official spokesman said here.
The heritage tourism policy was approved with an objective of attracting domestic and foreign tourists to historical forts, palaces and havelis, he said.
It was felt that there were several historical buildings in the state which needed proper maintenance and could be converted into heritage hotels, the spokesman said.
In order to turn old forts, palaces and havelis into heritage hotels, the definition of heritage hotel, norms for its establishment, categorisation, special rebates and package has been fixed.
The cabinet also approved amendments in solar energy policy 2013 to make it more practical.
Now, solar power projects of minimum one mega watt capacity could be established in the state, he said, adding that the new policy aims at attracting maximum private investment in this sector.
The cabinet decided to bear the expenses on the construction of sub-stations and transmission lines in Bundelkhand and Poorvanchal regions.
It was also decided to hike honorarium being given to political detainees (Loktantra Senani) under Maintenance of Internal Security Act (MISA) and Defence of India Regulation Act (DIR) from Rs 3,000 to Rs 6,000 per month.
The honorarium would be given to those detained in jails during emergency period from June 25, 1975, to March 21, 1977, the spokesman said.
