Special tourism plan for the Andamans: Prakash Javadekar
February 22 2016, 16.59 PM IST || Pocket News Alert
BJP should amend GST Bill to let it pass: Manish Tiwari
New Delhi: Minister of Environment and Forests Prakash Javadekar while speaking at “Budget Aaj Tak” conclave on Monday said the Centre was mulling a major tourism project for Andaman & Nocobar Islands where the plan is to open up some islands for tourists after taking due clearances from the Supreme Court. He also said Northeastern states were also on high priority of Prime Minister Narendra Modi who was ensuring that all stalled projects in the region are fast-tracked and special measures taken to boost tourism there.
“I recently visited Andaman &Nicobar Islands and was surprised to see the potential the region has for tourism development. Now five ministries have joined hands to prepare a comprehensive tourism plan for the Union territory. There are over 500 islands, of which most are out of bounds for general public. But now we planning to open up some of them for tourism purposes for which we will take all mandatory clearances,” he said.
Mr. Javadekar also said the Centre was also focusing on rapid development of North-East that has been lying neglected for many years. “ Apart from taking special steps for tourism promotion in the North-East, the Prime Minister has been holding special meetings regularly to see that all projects for the region are fast-tracked,” he added.
Mr. Javadekar also said Mr. Modi was taking innovative steps to give boost to economic development. As a result, the nation has seen 48 per cent growth in FDI, while India has become a major investment destination. Focus was also on creating new jobs and revive manufacturing sector. He urged the Congress not to install progressive legislations like the FDI in Parliament which was necessary for fast economic progress.
However, senior Congress leader Manish Tiwari said the Modi government was pursuing flawed economic policies that would not help in job creation or economic development of state. “Despite tough global economic scenario and crisis, the Congress-led UPA government management to perform well, but now the NDA government was failing miserably on all fronts despite the fact that there is no major crisis in the world and the crude oil prices are at record low. The government is also neglecting social sector that woll have adverse impact on overall growth of the nation.”
On the forthcoming Budget session, he said it was up to the government to let Parliament function. “If the BJP wants GST Bill to pass, it should amend the bill by incorporating necessary changes as suggested by the Congress and other opposition parties. The BJP cannot ignore the opposition parties,” he added.
