HP to ask Centre to include state in Central tourism schemes

Himachal Pradesh Government would write to the Centre to include the state in all Central Tourism schemes on priority basis, Chief Minister Virbhadra Singh said today.
Replying to a discussion on a private member's resolution moved by Varinder Kanwar of BJP in the Assembly, Singh said the contribution of tourism to the State Gross Domestic Product (SGDP) was 9.5 per cent.
"The government had formulated a policy in 2005 to encourage tourism and again in 2013 a policy was put in place for sustainable development of tourism," he said.
"The new policy envisages restoration of build heritage in tourist destinations, providing basic infrastructure like parking, accommodation, tourist information centres and otherfacilities," the Chief Minister said, adding 35 places are being developed on these lines.

A Rs 570 crore project, aided by Asian Development Bank, is being implemented to for taking up tourism development schemes at key places like Shimla, Manali, Dharamsala, Mandi, Chamba, Kangra, Sri Naina Devi, Brajeshwari Devi, Chamunda Devi, Maharana Pratap Sagar, Pong Dam, Singh said.
Also a Rs 100 crore project has been submitted to the Centre for approval, he added.

Earlier during question hour, Forest Minister Thakur Singh Bharmauri informed that House that the government has asked the Centre to authorise the Divisional Forest Officers (DFO) to give permit use of up to five hectares of forest land for non-forest purposes.

To a question byRam Kumar of Congress, he said presently the DFOs are authorised to divert up to one hectare of land for public works subject to the condition that number of standing trees on the land is less than 75.
Replying to a question, Revenue Minister Kaul Singh said the state government had sent report to the Centre informing it about loss of Rs 747.77 crore to the state due to excessive rains and floods but the release of relief amounting Rs 81.22 crore was awaited.