AMBIKA SONI REVIEWS TOURISM AND CULTURE PROJECTS OF PUNJAB

AMBIKA SONI REVIEWS TOURISM AND CULTURE PROJECTS OF PUNJAB

Minister of Tourism & Culture, Smt. Ambika Soni, held a review meeting of tourism and culture projects pertaining to the State of Punjab in Hoshiarpur yesterday. Tourism Minister of Punjab, Shri, Hira Singh Gabria, senior officers of the Union and the State government were present on the occasion. The minister reviewed the projects under the 10th Five Year Plan during which time an amount of Rs 47.74 crore was sanctioned, out of which an amount of Rs 31.50 crore was released. During 2006-07 alone an amount of Rs. 24.52 crores was sanctioned, out of which an amount of Rs. 13.10 crores was released.

In recognition of the potential of tourism in the State, a number of initiatives were undertaken during the tenth plan period such as integrated development of Amritsar, Attari-Wagha, Patiala, Kapurtala and Ropar as tourism destinations. Integrated development of Freedom Circuit and integrated development of destination pilgrim circuit ‘Land of Gurus and Saints’ were other major initiatives during the period. For the development of Hoshiarpur as a tourism destination in the year 2007-08, Rs 4 crore has been sanctioned - for environmental up-gradation of Bajawra fort, development of VV Research Institute and others.

In order to promote Punjab as an international tourism destination, Ministry of Tourism has provided the consultancy through the Asian Development Bank and facilitated preparation of Tourism Master Plan of Punjab through United Nations World Tourism Organisation.

The Union Ministry of Tourism is already running Institute of Hotel Management at Gurdaspur. With a view to creating employment opportunities for the youth of Punjab, Hon’ble Minister had cleared one more IHM at Boothgarh and discussed the possibility of setting of a Food Craft Institute for skilled development in the hospitality sector in an area to be identified later in consultation with State Government.

The Minister also reviewed the progress of the project for development of Jallianwalabagh National Memorial which is slated to be completed by 31st March, 2008. She emphasized on the timely completion of the project along with the Sound and Light show. The Maharaja Ranjit Singh Panorama project, which had been launched in July, 2006 at the Rambagh Heritage Garden, was also appraised and the Minister expressed satisfaction on the popularity of the Panorama and its good upkeep.

The development of Anandpur Sahib and Talwandi Sabo, as a part of the Ter-centenary celebrations of the Guru-ta-Gaddi, at a proposed cost of nearly Rs.180 crores, is also in the last stage of approval by the Union Cabinet. The proposal to name the route from Punjab to Huzur Sahib Nanded as Guru Govind Singh Marg, is also being taken up for approval of the Central Government and is likely to be approved shortly. The Minister will review other matters related to Culture Ministry during her next visit.

The Minister underlined the importance of timely completion of Central projects like National Rural Employment Guarantee Program which are pending implementation with the State Government. As per the guidelines, the implementation of the projects is the responsibility of the State Government.