LACK OF INFRASTRUCTURE IN ANDAMAN & NICOBAR FOR HANDLING TOURISTS
6th March 2007

The Minister of Tourism and Culture Smt. Ambika Soni said in Rajya
Sabha today that tourism is picking up in Andaman and Nicobar after
the Tsunami. In a written reply she said, the development and
promotion of tourism is primarily undertaken by the State
Governments/UT Administrations themselves. However, the Ministry of
Tourism provides funds on the basis of project proposals prioritized
for grant of central financial assistance every year to them for the
following schemes:

(i) Tourist Circuits (ii) Product Infrastructure & Destination
Development (iii) Large Revenue Generating projects

The Minister said, no project proposal from the Andaman & Nicobar
Island Administration has been received for grant of Central
Financial Assistance during 2006-07. The Ministry of Tourism has
sanctioned HAMFEST – a convention of International Amateur Radio
Operators at Port Blair during 2005-06 for Rs. 6.25 lakh. She said,
apart from the above a Concept Note was sent to the Planning
Commission recommending Rs. 76.50 crore for the revival of Tourism
in Andaman & Nicobar Islands on the basis of which special outlay
has been allocated for Andaman & Nicobar Islands by the Planning
Commission.