AP Govt approves tourism policy

Hyderabad, Sep 8 (UNI) Approving the State Tourism policy 2006, the Andhra Pradesh government today sanctioned 200 additional Assistant Engineers posts on permanent basis and 1,100 work inspectors posts on contract in the State Housing Department.

Addressing mediapersons here after the Cabinet meeting convened by Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy, Information Minister Mohd Ali Shabbir said the tourism policy was brought out to place tourism as a major revenue generator and to harness its direct and multiplier effect for employment generation, economic growth and poverty alleviation in the state.

Mr Shabbir said the tourism policy had been framed to position AP as the destination by taking advantage of the rapidly expanding travel and trade market and the vast untapped potential in heritage, pilgrimage, beach tourism, eco-tourism and rural tourism potential of the state.

He said the policy covers various kinds of tax concessions, incentives on land allotment, power rebate and subsidies for investors.

Referring to the housing scheme under INDIRAMMA (Integrated Nodal Development in Rural Areas and Model Municipal Areas) project of the state government, Mr Shabbir said the ministers expressed the view that construction of houses were going at a slow pace.

He said the government would be giving 64 acres of land at Kadapa in Pulivendula as per market rate, to Loyola Education Academy for setting up polytechnic college.

Referring to supply of power to farmers, Mr Shabbir said Chief Minister had made it clear that seven hour power supply to farmers would not be stopped.

He said to ensure supply, the government had decided to cut power supply in district and mandal headquarters.

Mr Shabbir said the cabinet appreciated the Centre's decision to set up one-man commission to go into the problems of Scheduled Castes in the country and also to look into the issue of SC categorisation into ABCD groups.

UNI ASJ GKT 1849