The first meeting of National Steering Committee for new plan schemes of PRASAD and Integrated Development of Tourist Circuits of Ministry of Tourism was held in New Delhi. The meeting was chaired by Mahesh Sharma, Minister of State for Culture (Independent Charge), Tourism (Independent Charge) and Civil Aviation.
The meeting was attended by the representatives of various ministries inculding Railways, Water Resources, Rural Development, Urban Development, Power, Transport and Highways and Culture Ministry, among others. The various stakeholders gave details of some of the projects to promote Tourism being implemented by them and how they can be dovetailed with PRASAD as well as scheme of Development of Tourist Circuits.
Addressing the participants, Sharma emphasised the need for inter-ministerial cooperation and coordination to create proper synergy for the success of the schemes. He said that there is a need to promote rural tourism since even urban India is not familiar with the rural life. Apart from this, India has rich resources like rivers which can be beneficial for developing Cruise Tourism which is nonexistent in the country at present.
Suggesting the need for speedy implementation of PRASAD and Development of Integrated Circuits, the Minister said that there should be no delay in implementing those portions of the scheme which are within the ambit of the Central Government. He further urged the officials to launch within a week the projects already identified and in which a substantial ground work has already been done.
The representatives of various ministries promised to send their proposals as discussed in the meeting in writing to the Ministry of Tourism. They suggested that there is not only a need to focus on infrastructure but emphasis should also be placed on soft skills such as training of guides and generating livelihood and employment among local communities.
Ravindra Singh, Secretary (Culture) pointed out that the locations for the Buddhist circuit must be finalised quickly and the Banaras circuit, which will form a good project to be taken up under the scheme, should also be developed. Lalit Panwar, Secretary (Tourism) highlighted the importance of Cruise Tourism saying that it comprises a negligible percentage of total tourism in the country and has a great potential.
