Bhubaneswar: The second meeting of the State Tourism Promotion Council (STPC) was held today under the chairmanship of Chief Secretary Anu Garg. The meeting discussed in detail various issues related to development of tourism infrastructure in the state, availability of land, progress of ongoing tourism projects and facilitating investment environment for the tourism industry.
The meeting was attended by Additional Chief Secretary, Industries Department Hemant Sharma, Principal Secretary, Commerce and Transport Department N B S Rajput, Commissioner-cum-Secretary, Tourism Department Balwant Singh and senior officers of concerned departments.
Progress of implementation of decisions taken in the first meeting of the Council was reviewed. Progress of previous decisions related to allocation of government land for tourism projects, establishment of Odia food restaurants, tourism land bank scheme and development of various tourist destinations was discussed.
The tourism land bank scheme for development of residential and other infrastructure in tourism sector was discussed in detail. Along with a clear system for land identification, determination of land use, land allocation and further management, emphasis was also placed on GIS-based land mapping and digital surveillance system. The Council considered the proposal regarding delay in implementation of various approved tourism projects and extension of deadline.
The proposal regarding setting up of Odia food restaurants in various new cities and tourist destinations of the state was also discussed. This was considered as a major step towards linking the traditional food and culinary heritage of the state with tourism. The proposal for a one-time solution plan for tourism units approved under the old tourism policy but deprived of incentive benefits due to various reasons was also discussed.
The meeting focused on reducing unnecessary procedural delays in tourism projects, removing obstacles related to land and permissions and making the process more simple and time-bound for investors.
Chief Secretary Garg emphasized on taking all necessary steps to ensure transparency for development of tourism in the state.
