Manipur govt asks Centre Rs 433 cr for 17 tourism projects

New Delhi, May 31 (UNI) For Manipur Tourism Minister T N Haokip called on Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Ambika Soni here, urging the Centre to grant financial assistance of Rs 433 crores for 17 new projects for the development of tourism in the state in the year 2008-09.

After the half an hour meeting last evening with Ms Soni, Mr Haokip said Manipur had immense potential as a tourism industry and the state government has sought the Centre's cooperation in approving all the proposals for the overall development of tourism in Manipur.

Mr Haokip said that Ms Soni had assured all necessary cooperation in the regard.

The Minister told UNI that Ms Soni had asked the Manipur Government for early submission of the proposal for setting up the Institute of Hotel Management in Manipur.

The Centre would sanction a sum of Rs 10 crore for the Institute, which would train young people in different trades of hotel management, he informed.

During the meeting, the Manipur Tourism Minister also drew the attention of the Union Minister for expediting sanction of the eight tourism projects for Manipur pending with Ministry.

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