India scraps visa-on-arrival plan for foreign tourists Onkar Singh in New Delhi
The government of India has scrapped the proposed visa-on-arrival scheme for foreign tourists on grounds of security. This was disclosed by Rathi Vinay Jha, Secretary Tourism and Culture. Talking to rediff.com after she had addressed a joint press conference with Director General of Tourism V K Duggal to brief the media about the arrangements made for the hosting of the Pacific Asia Travel Association meet in New Delhi to be held from April 14-18, Jha said that the decision in this matter was taken this week. "The ministry of home affairs which had cleared the scheme last year after a careful review of the security environment in the country after the terrorists attack on the Indian Parliament on December 13 and the world security scenario after the September 11 terror attacks on the US, has decided that the time for launching of the scheme was not proper. Hence, it is being shelved," Jha said. In an interview to rediff.com, V K Duggal had said that the scheme would be implemented and it is only a matter of time when the counters would be set up in Delhi and Mumbai international airports to clear the tourists on arrival and give them visas. Last year the ministry of tourism had released the blueprint of the scheme under which tourists from selected countries (which did not include Britain, the United States and Canada) would be given visas on arrival at the Indian airports. The Intelligence Bureau on the request of the Government of India had re-examined the whole issue once again and decided against it. Former US President Bill Clinton who was slated to attend the PATA conference as a special delegate too cancelled his visit after the terrorist attack on the US consulate in Kolkata. "Mr Clinton cancelled his visit after attack on US office in Kolkata," Duggal said. "The government of India would spend Rs 45 million to host the PATA conference which would be attended by over one thousand delegates from 40 countries," Duggal said. A delegation from Pakistan is also likely to participate in the PATA conference. The agenda circulated amongst the media persons clearly lists a press conference to be organised by the Pakistan High Commission during the conference. Jha did not agree with the notion that the ministry was upset with the number of beggars on the streets and had asked the Delhi government to ensure that beggars do not hassle the delegates while they are in India. "I would not say we are upset with the beggars. Of course, we are concerned about their presence on the roads," she said. According to Duggal, the private sector is also chipping in to reduce the cost of the hosting such a big conference. Special paid tours had been organised for the delegates who want to visit tourist destinations during their stay in India. "We have tied up with Indian airlines to take the delegates to various destinations," Duggal added. Delhi's Connaught Place would be specially lit up during the period of the conference and a band would be playing in the evening for the entertainment of the delegates. www.rediff.com ------------------------------------------------- This mail helped a tree grow. Know more at http://green.sify.com Take the shortest route to success! Click here to know how http://education.sify.com =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-W-E-B---S-I-T-E-=-=-= To Subscribe/Unsubscribe from GoaNet | http://www.goacom.com/goanet =================================================================== For (un)subscribing or for help, Contact: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Dont want so many e=mails? Join GoaNet-Digest instead ! =-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-=-= Help support non-commercial projects in Goa by advertizing!! * * * * Your ad here !!
