North East News Agency

Union Minister for Tourism and Culture, Ambika Soni held a review meeting with the  Ministers (Tourism & Culture)   of  all eight North-Eastern states at Guwahati. The discussions included preparations of the 2550th anniversary celebration of Lord Buddha , issues relating to the ILP/RAP regime in the North-East, review of the working of NE Shilpagram at Dimapur, progress of the multipurpose culture complex scheme and initiatives taken in the library sector as well as discussions on proposal for constituting a NE Tourism Development Fund. All the eight states made their respective presentations and this was followed by extensive discussions. Ambika Soni felt that the discussions held was very positive.

“The respective states gave us very good ideas, taking into account the poyential of NE’’, she said. She asked all the states to prepare viable project proposals. The ministry of tourism is trying to market and campaign NE as “a paradise unexplored’’ and being ecologically one of the foremost areas of the world. The review meeting came up with the idea to develop high end Tourism in this region. It was also felt that it is imperative to develop domestic tourism. The Ministry of Tourism is laying stress on luring the budget tourist. Budget Hotels, 10% subsidy and single window clearance are means adopted to encourage private parties to increase public—private partnership in this sector. There is a move to grant Industry status to hotels coming up in the North-East. Tax incentives will be given to encourage entrepreneurs to set up budget hotels in the NE. a move will be undertaken to encourage unemployed youths of this region to take up entrepreneural ventures in this sector. “ the Tourism sector has the potential to become the largest source of employment generation” , said Ambika soni. According to statistics , averagely 47 jobs can be created with the investment of every 1 million ruppee in this region.

This year a unique cultural festival called Octave’06 of all the eight states of the North-East was held in Delhi in March. The Ministry plans to make this an annual event and it will be held across the contry in different state capitals. The respective states have also been urgd to pay heed and significance to their respective fairs and festivals.

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