Odisha fails to submit UCs for tourism projects

Total UC pendency of the state govt stands at over Rs 28 cr up to 2011-12

Even as the Odisha government blames the Centre for its apathetic attitude in granting funds for the development of tourism sector, the state has failed to submit the utilisation certificates (UCs) for the amount released by Centre already.

Some money is lying with the state government, which the state has to utilise within a stipulated time. Unless they give us the UCs for the amount already sanctioned, we will not be in a position to give fresh funds," said Usha Sharma, additional director general, ministry of tourism, Government of India. Sharma, who was here to attend the inaugural function of the new campus of the Indian Institute of Tourism and Travel Management (IITTM) here, said, UCs to the tune of Rs 36 crore has not been received over the years.

The total UC pendency of the state government stands at Rs 28.264 crore upto 2011-12.

For 2013-14, the state has urged the Centre to sanction funds for Buddhist mega circuit, one circuit covering Talasari-Dagra-Chandipur, three destination tourism projects, two convention centres at Puri and Bhubaneswar, and a golf course in the city.

Speaking on at the inaugural function, Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik said, Food Craft Institute at Bolangir is being upgraded to a State Institute of Hotel Management (SIHM) this year and urged the Union minister to allow admission into it from the academic year 2013-14

This apart, the state government plans to establish two more institutes of hotel managements - one at Balasore and the other at Khalikote during this year.

Srikant Jena, Union minister of state for statistics and programme implementation demanded to convert IITTM into a university.

K Chiranjeevi, Union minister of state for tourism, said, the whole state has to be a single mega circuit and it is sensible.