Chief Minister Shri Chouhan said that tourism cabinet was formed to make the state leading in tourism, and socio-economic development by integrated tourism, and coordinated efforts of all departments in this regard. Increasing number of domestic and foreign tourists will be in focus. He said to improve infrastructure facilities for tourism, prospects of working with private investors under PPP mode should be searched, along with state budget and Centre schemes. He said the structures being built for public convenience at monuments of Archeological Survey of India by State Tourism Corporation should be similar to the architecture of the monuments. He underlined a need of marketing at international level for Jal Mahotsava being held in December. Also, he asked to develop other centres of attraction at main tourism destinations. He said Panchmarhi has the wealth of natural beauty. There is a need to publicize it. He asked to carry out efforts for operating luxury buses, taking support from transport department for connecting tourist circuit.
Shri Chouhan said, more and more projects should be submitted to Compensatory Forestation and Management Authority, from the state. He said, families interested to settle outside buffer zones should be encouraged. It should be ensured that basic facilities should complete before displacement of villages. He asked to search prospects of development of artificial centres in Van Vihar like natural destination Palashpani.
Decisions were taken on various provisions related with tourism in the cabinet. It was decided that to fix the provision of 15 percent grants on all proposals on the place of different capital grants for different projects. The maximum range can vary. Amount of minimum investment be fixed in projects. The provisions of exemption in luxury and entertainment tax, as mentioned in previous policy, were abolished in view of the proposed GST in the cabinet. Now investors will be eligible to get grants on setting up tourism projects in entire state. For providing capital grants, adventure tourism, water tourism, amusement, Entertainment Park, wellness centres etc. have been included in the project eligibility list. Decision was taken to promote eco and adventure tourism for private investment. Specific provisions have been made on promotion of film, tourism, water tourism and sustainable tourism in the new policy.
One more step has been taken to give status of industry to tourism in the new policy. Now, lease rent and amount to be received from land and assets of tourism department etc. will be kept in separate fund as nivertan of government land and infrastructure development, like Aodyogik Kendra Vikas Nigam (AKVN). Wayside Amenities Establishment and Operation policy 2016, by state tourism department has been included in the tourism policy. District Industry Centre has been nominated as district level nodal agency for providing facilities at district level to investors in tourism under MP Investment Facilitation Act 2008, under the single window system. Essential resources will be made available to district industry and trade Centre in this regard.
Now land will be allotted at industrial rate to proposed and forthcoming tourism projects in industrial areas and parks. Tourism will get facility for electricity supply, land diversion, land value assessment, water allotment from natural sources and assessment of property tax, as per industrial units. New policy 2016 has been made part of the tourism policy for land auction for setting up tourism projects by private investors. Provision has been made for coordination committee under chairmanship of Chief Secretary, for defining policy, interdepartmental coordination and resolving difficulties.
Presentation on efforts undertaken for the tourism development in the state was given by the Secretary Tourism Shri Hariranjan Rao in the cabinet. He informed that renovation of Minto hall, Bhopal has been started. Renovation of Hanumantia, Mandu, Taj Mahal Palace Bhopal, Govindgarh Fort Rewa, Madhavgarh Fort Satna is underway under the tourism policy. BRICS Tourism Summit, Jal Mahotsav and Tourism Quiz have been organized successfully. Development and maintenance of public utility works in 13 memorials has been given to the M.P. Tourism development corporation by the Archeological survey of India. Central government has approved projects worth Rs. 92 crore for wild life circuit, Rs.75 crore for Buddhist circuit and Rs. 99.75 crore for Heritage circuit under the Swadesh Darshan Yojna. Similarly, Ujjain has been selected for the Prasad Yojna.
State was conferred with awards for Excellent Tourism State, Excellent Paryatak Mitra Smarak, Excellent Innovative Project and Excellent Guide. Moreover, expansion and strengthening of Madhya Pradesh Institute of Hospitality and Training, Food Craft Institute, State Institute of Hospitality and Catering Technology in the sector of Hospitality training, food craft and Tourism management is underway. Efforts are being made to obtain loan and grant from central, state government and financial institutions for tourism projects. Separate section “Tourism conservation and Planning Section” will be established in the corporation to attract private investment, investor’s facilitation and provision of grant and facilities besides preparation, implementation and monitoring of tourism projects as per the policy of the investors.
Chief Wild Life Warden Shri Jitendra Agarwal gave presentation on the current and future position of wild life tourism. He informed that single rate arrangement has been made for the tourists in the protected wild life areas. Better retiring facilities have been provided. Online Permission is being given for the wild life tourist places. Besides vehicle safaris, facilities of cycling, canoeing and trekking are being increased. Free entry is being provided to all the students in the buffer areas.
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For more information on destinations & points of interest in Madhya Pradesh, please visit our website http://www.mptourism.com/ or reach out to us on our toll free helpline at 1800-233-7777 available 24 x 7.
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