(correcting amount in para one, line two, rephrasing para two)

Imphal, May 5 (UNI) The Manipur tourism department has decided to spend Rs 1.20 crore to boost the sector.

The Loktak lake in Bishenpur district usually attracts a large number of tourists in the state but has had few visitors as it was being occupied by the army for the past few years.

The hotels in Imphal, specially those run by the government, will also be spruced up to accommodate tourists, they added. Officials, however, said there were lots of restrictions at the government level which impede the flow of tourist to the state.

Since independence, no foreigner is allowed to visit Manipur due to imposition of Resticted Area Permit (RAP), officials said.

Tourism can never develop until restrictions were relaxed, a tour operator said. Once restrictions were lifted, the tourism sector will see a quantum leap which will benefit the people and help boost the economy, he added.

UNI NS RR AK BD1539