Permit rooms near Chandrapur TATR? Minister says 'very

Maharashtra minister Vijay Wadettiwar on Monday said he was "very positive" to the state government sanctioning permit rooms at resorts located near the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) in Chandrapur district in future for "boosting revenue and employment".

Wadettiwar, who serves as the guardian minister of Chandrapur, also demanded a satellite survey of the "actual plantation" done under the erstwhile BJP government's ambitious mega drive to plant 33 crore saplings across the state.

He also said a panel has been set up to look into various aspects of the existing liquor ban in the district.

Chandrapur was declared a "dry" district by the previous BJP government.

The new Maharashtra Vikas Aghadi (MVA) government has yet to take a call on lifting the alcohol ban in the district.

"I have sent a letterto the Ministry of Environment and Forests seeking a satellite survey of the mega plantation drive conducted bythe erstwhile BJP government in Maharashtra," the minister told reporters.

The mega plantation drive was conducted under then forest minister Sudhir Mungantiwar who also hails from Chandrapur district.

The senior Congress leader, whose party is a ruling constituent in the state government, furter said that foreigners who visit the TATR prefer to stay in Nagpur, around 155 kms from here, due to unavailability of liquor in Chandrapur.

"It is a common practice in tourism areas across the world..It is not necessary that every tourist will need liquor,however, it is important to provide various facilities to the visitors. The government has plans to sanction the permit rooms near the TATR. I am very positive to sanction permitrooms at resorts located near the TATR," the MLA said.

The TATR is Maharashtra's oldest and largest national park, where jungle safaris are conducted for tourists.

Meanwhile, the minister said Chandrapur district collector has been directed to form a panel to look into advantages and disadvantages of the liquor ban.

"The collector will form a panelcomprising two experts, social workers and other district officials to study the impact of the liquor ban on students, smuggling of liquor, sale of spurious alcohol etc.," he said, adding that a report is expected in one month which will be tabled before the state Cabinet.