Imphal, February 01: A seven member team of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Tourism, Civil Aviation and Transport led by its Chairman MP Nilotpal Basu arrived at Imphal today.

Film star Raj Babbar is among the MP team.

During a brief interaction with media persons at Tulihal airport this afternoon, Nilotpal Basu, a Rajya Sabha MP of the CPI (M), said that they have come here to get a first hand account of how to develop infrastructure to boost tourism in the State.

The other agenda of the team also include development of civil aviation and transport facilities in the State.

To get a first hand account of the existing infrastructure in the North East region and suggest ways to improve them, the team will tour the North Eastern States till February 6.Imphal is their first destination.

Other than Manipur, the States to be covered by the team include Assam, Meghalaya and Mizoram.

Fielding questions from the newsmen, Basu said that they will seek opinion and information from the public and pass on the necessary recommendations to the Government.

Making the stand of the Committee clear, Basu said that lifting the Restricted Area Permit and Protected Area Permit is not within their ambit and explained that the matter can be tackled by the Standing Committee of the Union Home Ministry.

However the Committee will hear the opinion and suggestions of the people, he added.

To a question on the contentious issue of the Armed Forces Special Powers Act, the Communist leader said that as Chairman of the Committee, he cannot express any view but as a member of the CPI (M), he said the review of the Act is needed.

On the planned development of Tulihal airport, the MP said that necessary suggestions will be sought and complimented the structure of the airport stating that it reflects the architecture of the region.

Film star and MP Raj Babbar said that they are here to see and provide inputs to the Government to take up developmental works adding that the need of the people will be taken into consideration.

Babbar recalled that he last visited Manipur in 1983 and noted the great change since then.

Later in the day the MP team held a meeting with representatives of the Airport Authority of India and Civil Aviation to discuss the developmental aspects of Tulihal airport at the State guest house.

A meeting with officials of the Union Ministry of Tourism, State Tourism Dept, representatives of tour operators, travel agencies and hoteliers was also held.

The MP team will leave for Mizoram tomorrow after visiting the Govindajee Temple, Shahid Minar, Sports Complex, Museum etc.

Lok Sabha MP Dr T Meinya, Tourism Minister Govindas Konthoujam, MOBC Minister Md Allauddin, MLA Radhakishore, Chief Secretary Jarnail Singh, GAD Commissioner AR Khan, received the Central team at the airport.

Comment