Centre keen to develop Manipur tourism: Parvez
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, March 03 2014 :
Union Tourism Secretary Parvez Dewan has said that the Central Government is giving utmost priority to development of tourism infrastructures in Manipur and other northeastern states.
He was speaking to media persons during an interaction at Hotel Imphal, North AOC here this afternoon.
Parvez Dewan further said that the Ministry of Tourism is allocating about 56 percent of its total funds to the northeastern states, out of which Manipur has a share of 9 percent.
The fund allocation to the State for tourism development is quite immense in comparison to the State's population.
The Central Government has sanctioned about Rs 45 crore for three mega tourism projects in the State, namely development of tourist resort at Sendra Hillock, water sports complex at Takmu and other tourism facilities in adjoining areas; integrated cable car and lakeside tourism development project at Loktak; and Institute of Hotel Management, Catering Technology & Applied Nutrition at Nongmaiching in Imphal-East.
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The foundation stones for the three projects would be laid by Chief Minister Okram Ibobi tomorrow, the Secretary noted.
Plans are also afoot for setting up a museum related to Second World War in Manipur, he added.
Maintaining that tourism contributes about 10 percent to India's Gross Domestic Product (GDP), Parvez Dewan said that the Ministry of Tourism is taking up nearly 300 projects annually for development of tourism all over the country.
He further said that the State Government should improve law and order, and enhance security in order to attract large number of tourists including from foreign countries to the State.
The Union Tourism Secretary also interacted with the entrepreneurs and film actors of the State.
Matters relating to films, art & culture, eco-tourism, medical tourism and others were discussed during the interaction.