Centre denies W Bengal's proposal for tourism development

New Delhi, Mar 15 (UNI) The Centre has rejected a West Bengal Government's proposal for tourism development project called " Destinaton Plassey" as the project was not as per the guidelines.

Giving this information to the members in the Lok Sabha in a written reply the Minister of Tourism and Culture Ambika Soni said the development and promotion of tourism is primarily undertaken by the State Governments and the Union Territories. It only extends financial assistance to the State Government and UT administration for tourism related projects which are identified in consultation and interaction with them under schemes for product/infrastructure development.

She said the developments of circuits/destinations and assistance to large revenue generating projects.

Mrs Soni said project proposals received from the State Governments/Union Territories that are complete in all respect are examined as per scheme guidelines and sanctioned on the basis of inter-se priority and funds released subjects to availability from the State Government of West Bengal during the year 2006-07.

The Minister further disclosed that the Government has not constituted any committe to commemorate the Jubilee of the battle of Plassey in West Bengal.

However, an amount of over Rs 26 crore has been sanctioned in the year 2006-07 for tourism related projects for the State.

UNI