Cabinet nod to tourism policy draft

ibune News Service

Shimla, September 16

The Cabinet today approved the draft of the Himachal Pradesh Tourism Policy, 2019, aimed at holistic development of tourism sector. The Cabinet, which met here, gave approval to the policy with special focus on eco-tourism, agro-organic tourism, snow tourism, lake tourism, adventure tourism, pilgrimage tourism, cultural and heritage tourism, health and wellness tourism, film tourism and MICE tourism (Meeting Travel, Incentive Travel, Conference Travel and Exhibition Travel).

The main objective is to promote tourism with sustainable intervention and ensure that the benefits reach every part of the state. Thrust would also be laid on creating an environment for investment for sustainable tourism and capacity building.

The Cabinet also approved ‘capital investment subsidy’ for tourism projects in underdeveloped areas and grant for access of roads and water supply to tourism units.

It also decided to procure and distribute 9,700 laptops to the meritorious students of Class 10th and 12th under the Srinivasa Ramanujan Student Ditigal Yojana for 2017-18 and 2018-19.

The Cabinet gave its consent to include 428 gram panchayats of 10 districts under the Integrated Development Projects for Source Sustainability and Climate Resilient Rain-fed Agriculture- IDP, a project sanctioned by the Department of Economic Affairs for strengthening and sustainable development of natural resources available in forest touching agriculture land of the panchayats.

It also approved the draft policy for buyback of non-recyclables plastic waste, including bags, having provision of the Minimum Support Price of Rs 75 per kg to be paid to rag pickers and individuals for collection from homes and deposit it with local bodies.

It also decided to nominate the seniormost lecturers as vice-principal in Government Senior Secondary Schools. It also gave its nod to enhance the financial assistance being provided to the Second World War veterans from Rs 3,000 to Rs 10,000 per month and for their widows from Rs 3000 to Rs 5,000 from September 1.

It gave its nod to declare Yamuna Sharad Mahotsav, Paonta Sahib as state fair.

It also decided to upgrade Government High Schools at Sohal in Ghumarwin of Bilaspur and Kharak in Sri Renukaji of Sirmaur. The Cabinet gave its nod to start science classes in eight schools.