Port Blair, Apr30: Mr. Mohan Vinod, State Vice President, BJP, A & N Islands has taken up the issue of Financial Assistance and revival of Tourism Industry in A & N Islands with the Lt. Governor, A & N Islands. He asserted that due to Pandemic and subsequent Lockdown, Islands witnessed total closure of Tourism Industry and felt that it shall take long time for the Industry to recover to its pre pandemic stage.
Mr. Vinod proposed the following as immediate relief measures to support the tourism industry : Capital subsidy for all loans, Salary of employees from MNREGA fund and interest free loans from ANIIDCO, GST exemption/refund and exemption of other misc. taxes, Exemption of permit fee & renewal charges for tourist vehicles & corresponding charges for tourist boats, Exemption of Telephone/Broadband and electricity charges, Financial assistance to be extended to tourism sector workers.
He also suggested measures under 100 days tourism revival plan post COVID-19 lockdown such as Formation of Tourism revival committee; Marketing ‘ Brand Andaman’ ; Tourism friendly approach; Showcase new destinations; Priority to tourism sector in Govt. assistance schemes & projects etc.
Mr. Vinod urged that Tourism being the biggest employment generation source in the islands, utmost priority may be accorded for providing Govt assistance schemes such as Startup India, Standup India & PMKVY to the tourism stake holders. A reservation upto 80% may be earmarked for tourism related projects under such schemes.
