Specific law to protect tourists from touts sought

Taking note of several cases of tourists being fleeced and harassed by touts, a parliamentary committee has recommended enactment of a specific law to ensure their safety.

Expressing surprise at the absence of any specific law to deal with the tout menace, the parliamentary committee on tourism said safety and security of tourists is paramount and should be looked into seriously.

At present, action is taken against touts under Section 151 of CrPC and Section 97 of the Delhi Police Act for creating nuisance that entails a very minor punishment.

The committee sought to know from the Tourism Ministry about the steps taken to protect the foreign tourist from being fleeced by the touts and the kind of harassment they suffer and other such problems.

"Security and safety of tourist is our top priority and we have undertaken a series of measures to ensure the security for tourists," said a senior tourism ministry official.

"Recently we have launched an awareness campaign against fleecing of foreign tourists by unscrupulous elements involving noted film star Aamir Khan," said the official.

About a suitable legislation to tackle the menace, the official said the ministry is in the process of formulating such a law.

In order to curb cases of cheating and fleecing of tourists, Tourism Ministry has advised state governments to deploy tourist police at all important destinations.

The ministry has framed guidelines with the help of Home Ministry and Directorate General of Resettlement of Defence Ministry regarding formation of Tourist Security Force.

Ten state governments including Andhra Pradesh, Rajasthan, Goa, UP, Himachal and Delhi have deployed tourist police in one form or other.

The committee however, feels the need for strengthening tourist police at all tourist destinations and recommends to equip tourist police with vehicles and mobile telephones.

Besides tourist police must be given training in English language for providing information or guidance to tourists.

Since a lot of complaints emanate from tourists being harassed at the airport, the committee has also sought the cooperation from Civil Aviation Ministry and Airport Authority of India in dealing with the menace.

Tourism Ministry has also set up a tourist complaint cell for redressal of complaints from tourists.