Guwahati: A two-day conference of Tourism and Culture Ministers of North Eastern States began in Guwahati from 13 September. The conference has been organized under the Chairmanship of Minister of Tourism, Culture and DONER to discuss development of tourism and issues related to connectivity in the North Eastern Region.
Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma along with Union Minister of State for Culture and Parliamentary Affairs Arjun Ram Meghwal and Union Minister of State for Tourism and Defence Ajay Bhatt were also present in the inaugural session of the conference.
CM further said that the holistic approach is required for the development of tourism sector in the region. As a whole the North East as a brand has to be promoted and connectivity and infrastructure facilities need to be developed, he added.
Addressing the event, Sarma said that tourism and culture are two essential areas on which the North-eastern region’s growth should be concentrated. Because this is the first time the DoNER Minister has been given these two portfolios, it is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the area to take its tourism and cultural industries to new heights, CM added.
In the conference an MoU between Ministry of Tourism and IRCTC was signed for cooperation in promoting domestic tourism and development of new tourism products.
While addressing the forum the Union Minister of Tourism and Culture and DoNER, G. Kishan Reddy informed that the under the PRASHAD schemes the ministry has sanctioned number of projects in the region and around Rs200 crore has been sanctioned for these projects.