Tourism min rapped for mismanagement

A standing committee report on tourism has pulled up the ministry for non-performance in several schemes. It went on to recommended that the ministry close its overseas offices if it cannot manage them.

"The committee notes that the ministry is admitting its lapses in managing its overseas offices. The Committee feels that if the Govt. cannot manage its overseas offices, it should close down all those offices and alternative arrangements may be explored for promotion of Indian tourism in foreign countries," states the report of the department-related Rajya Sabha committee headed by TMC MP Derek O'Brien.

In reply, the government said that it is realising the objectives of the offices through "an integrated marketing and promotional strategy and a synergized campaign in association with the Travel Trade, State Governments and Indian Missions overseas". The government runs over 14 overseas tourism offices in New York, Los Angeles, Toronto, London, Frankfurt, Amsterdam, Paris, Milan, Dubai, Johannesburg, Sydney, Beijing, Singapore and Tokyo.

The Committee also pulled up the ministry for not utilising all the funds allocated under the 12th five year plan. "From the data provided by the Ministry of Tourism, the total allocations made all these five years was only Rs. 5479.03 crore out of which the spending up to 31st January, 2017 is Rs. 4644.89 crore.

This comes to 20.37% of the 12th Plan outlay," the Committee stated, adding that it is disappointed.