Cabinet okays steps to boost tourism

Tribune News Service

Dehradun, May 14

The Uttarakhand Cabinet that met on Wednesday gave its nod for according the status of industry to several activities associated with tourism such as rafting and wellness centres.

In all, 13 issues came up before the Cabinet that met at a floating restaurant Marina in Tehri Lake and around 12 were given approval.

While briefing media persons, Uttarakhand government spokesperson and Uttarakhand Minister for Urban Development Madan Kaushik said, “The amendments will be brought in the MSME policy so that these ancillary activities such as rafting, bungee jumping, panchkarma centres and yoga centres that boost tourism activities are accorded the status of industry. This would automatically open room for concessions and other benefits that are being offered by the state under the MSME policy being extending to these activities as well”, said Kaushik.

In all 11 activities pertaining to tourism such as angling, bird-watching, kayaking, etc, would benefit from the move.

Further, he said that the activities pertaining to resorts, Ayush and wellness centres that offer Ayurvedic treatments too would be brought under the state’s (department of industries) mega-industry investment policy. In all, 22 activities have been included. “This is an attempt to boost employment opportunities for the youth in the state as we are observing the year 2018 as an employment year,” Kaushik added.

Significantly, the Cabinet also gave its approval for developing 13 new tourism destinations in 13 districts. These include Katarmal in Almora, Mukteshwar in Almora, Satpauli in Pauri, Bhararisain in Chamoli, Lakha Mandal in Dehradun.

In another important decision the government also gave its nod for setting up a corpus fund of Rs 50 lakh under Pandit Deendayal Upadhyaya Social Security Scheme for single, divorcee women. Above all, the eunuchs too would be able to access cooperative loan of Rs 1 lakh at the rate of 1 per cent. The corpus fund would be set up in each district and would be run through committees.

Other important decisions include approval to the guidelines for Uttarakhand State Subordinate Service Commission and ending duty on Mentha and its products. It also gave approval for creating 15 posts for Medical Board.

New tourist spots to come up 

The Cabinet also gave its approval for developing 13 new tourism destinations in 13 districts. These include Katarmal in Almora, Mukteshwar in Almora, Satpauli in Pauri, Bhararisain in chamoli, Lakha Mandal in Dehradun.