by admin | May 25, 2021 | Interviews
Tourism Minister K.J. Alphons
By Aparajita Gupta,
New Delhi : The Indian government is seeking a dramatic increase in tourist figures, both foreign and domestic, in a way that it helps to earn more revenues and generate employment, new Tourism Minister K.J. Alphons has said.
“The number of foreign tourist arrivals was 8.8 million in 2016. We want to increase it dramatically. We also want to increase the number of domestic tourists, which was around 150 million. The whole idea is that we want to generate revenues and be a huge contributor to the economy,” Alphons, a former bureaucrat, told IANS in an interview.
According to the Tourism Ministry, in 2016 the foreign exchange earned through tourism was Rs 154,146 crore and the sector provides direct and indirect employment to over 40 million people. It is a major contributor to the nation’s GDP.
Speaking at his office in Transport Bhavan, Alphons said: “We don’t want people to just come, see and go. We want them to stay, experience India, shop and spend money.”
“We have a 5,000-year-old civilisation, one of the oldest in the world. What is exceptional in India is that, along with the civilisation, we also have a philosophy. It is not only brick and mortar. It is much, much beyond it. The kind of spiritual and philosophical depth that Indian civilisation has, is unique.”
Asked about Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s expectations from this ministry, Alphons said marketing India well to the world outside is very crucial.
“The entire thing is about marketing India, as we are an amazing, incredible and beautiful country. We just need to tell the world that we are a fantastic destination to visit. We want the whole world to come to India. They should come and feel the country and when they leave, they should say, ‘This was fantastic!'”
Asked about the steps needed to attract more tourists, the minister said better cleanliness and improved infrastructure are key focus areas of the government.
“Infrastructure has to be improved dramatically. Cleanliness has to improve, footpaths must be built, manholes must be covered, drains must be covered, they should not be encroached. It should be a hugely pleasant experience to walk around the cities; only then will foreign tourists go shopping.
“I am interested in generating money, because if we generate money that will create employment. They should walk around, laze around and feel comfortable. And that comfort we should provide. That means we have to improve our infrastructure around tourist destinations dramatically,” the minister said.
Alphons said he was happy with the portfolios he has been given. “It was a huge, pleasant surprise to be given independent charge of such exciting and happening ministries — tourism and information technology (IT). I am extremely happy with my portfolios.”
Alphons, who is scheduled to make a presentation to the Prime Minister, was averse to talking about any issue other than than those concerning his portfolio.
Asked some political questions, Alphons flatly said he was not ready to answer them.
(Aparajita Gupta can be reached at aparajita.g@ians.in)
—IANS
by admin | May 25, 2021 | Banking, Corporate, Corporate Governance, News, Politics
New Delhi : The Finance Ministry of Wednesday formally announced the launch of the new Rs 200 note.
“The central government hereby specifies the denomination of bank notes of the value of 200 rupees,” a Gazette notification said.
The notification has been issued under Section 24 of the Reserve Bank of India Act, 1934, and on the recommendations of the Central Board of Directors of the RBI.
Earlier, Minister of State for Finance Santosh Kumar Gangwar told IANS that Rs 200 note, printing of which had begun, would be in circulation soon.
The move to introduce the new currency was to increase the circulation of smaller denomination notes.
An official source had told IANS that the paper for Rs 200 notes was ready in the Mysuru paper mill in June. It was being printed in the RBI printing press.
Post-demonetisation, there have been reports of people facing problems in using the Rs 2,000 note as sufficient quantum of smaller denomination notes of Rs 100 and Rs 500 were not available.
—IANS
by admin | May 25, 2021 | Opinions
By Radhika Bhirani, New Delhi (IANS) Ahead of the 17th edition of the annual International Indian Film Academy (IIFA) celebrations which is scheduled to be held in Spain’s capital Madrid next month, its organisers hope the Indian government comes out in support of the glitzy Bollywood gala.
From debuting in London in 2000, the IIFA event showcases the prowess of the multi-million dollar Hindi film industry, promoting the country and its talent at foreign destination year after year.
The event has been held at places as varied as Sun City (South Africa), Genting Highlands (Malaysia), Johanessburg (South Africa), Singapore, Amsterdam, Dubai, Yorkshire, Bangkok, Macau, Colombo, Toronto, Singapore, Tampa Bay and Kuala Lumpur.
IIFA, through the years, has garnered support of international governments to host its weekend and award event.
“The international governments realise that we are a representation of India in their country. But we (at IIFA) don’t get any support from the Indian government despite the fact that we are actually doing the job of the tourism department,” Andre Timmins, director, Wizcraft International, told IANS in an interview.
The promotion of the country, he said, not ony takes place on the ground but also on air, through the television and other media.
Timmins feels that were the Indian government to step in and promote it, this would provide an impetus to the event.
“Even though it is a private enterprise, the government should look at supporting us… And even if it’s not (with) direct money, it can be through marketing, or some help in publicising it or creating awareness around it. At the moment, we don’t get any support,” Timmins added.
He pointed out that governments that IIFA works with “fund a lot of money” in comparison to anybody else from India.
“We are showcasing our talent to various countries, to the world, and so I think that the Indian government and the tourism department should come forward and use this platform to propagate India as a tourism destination,” he said.
The foreign governments, he felt, were interested in getting involved “because they see value” in it.
“I hope somebody from our government would get involved on a larger perspective because IIFA today is not only about cinema but also about business, volunteer programs and we also propagate ‘the Green Agenda’ to the world. IIFA is all about India.”
As for Spain — where a galaxy of Hindi film stars including names like Salman Khan, Hrithik Roshan, Priyanka Chopra, Deepika Padukone and Sonakshi Sinha will be seen regaling fans from June 23-26 — the event organisers are getting aid in terms of funds, airport arrivals, fast track visas, security, road closures and venues.
“The Spanish government is doing a great job,” said Timmins, who is one of the three pillars behind IIFA along with Viraf Sarkari and Sabbas Joseph, adding that the event this year is poised to be a celebration of 60 years of the two countries’ diplomatic relations.
Spain is the fourth European destination to host the IIFA. Close to 150 Bollywood celebrities are likely to be in attendance, with an expected audience of around 20,000. That apart, a business forum will be held to facilitate talks of trade and collaborations, and there will be other attractions integrating talent from India and Spain.
(Radhika Bhirani can be contacted at radhika.b@ians.in)
by admin | May 25, 2021 | Corporate, Corporate finance
New Delhi:(IANS) The Indian government on Monday signed an agreement for a $123.51 million loan from the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for tranche three of the Infrastructure Development Investment Programme for Tourism to upgrade tourism infrastructure and services in Punjab, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.
The loan will be used for development and conservation of places of tourist attractions. It will also be used to improve basic tourism facilities, and to build the capacity of sector agencies and local communities in the three states.
The third tranche loan is part of the $250 million multi-tranche financing facility that ADB approved in 2010.
ADB’s country director for India M. Teresa Kho, in a statement, said the loan will support conservation of important heritage structures, including some century-old structures, and new facilities including centres for arts and crafts in the three states. Eco-parks and eco-tourism will also be developed to help the states attract more tourists.
To improve income opportunities for the local communities, more than 4,000 community members are set to be trained in tourism-related skills such as guides, crafts, and other recreational activities, while at least 30 community-based societies will be made operational in the management of natural and cultural heritage sites.
by admin | May 25, 2021 | Corporate, Corporate Reports
New Delhi:(IANS) Nestle India on Wednesday expressed disappointment over the the Indian government filing a suit with the apex consumer forum with regard to Maggi noodles despite the matter being sub-judice and maintained it did not add any MSG or mislead the consumers.
“We are disappointed with the unprecedented step of filing of a complaint before the National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (NCDRC) against Nestle India. Based on reports it appears that the complaint makes similar allegations which were made to ban the product on June 5,” the company said in a statement.
These issues are awaiting judgment by the Bombay High Court, the company added.
“We confirm that we do not add Monosodium Glutamate (MSG) in the manufacture of Maggi noodles,” the company said.
It further added that MSG is one of the several forms of glutamic acid found in natural foods such as groundnuts/peanuts, wheat flour, tomatoes and cheese.
“As we use some of these ingredients in Maggi noodles, the product will contain natural glutamic acid. We therefore strongly reiterate that the ‘No Added MSG’ statement on the product was not an attempt to mislead consumers.”
Nestle also said that the company maintains the highest standards of food quality and safety in the manufacture of all its products.
“Consumer trust has been of paramount importance to Nestle over the 103 years of its presence in India,” it said.
The company added it had a stringent programme to test the ingredients that went into making of this popular snack.
“In recent months, we had over 2,700 samples of Maggi noodles tested by several accredited laboratories in India and abroad. Each one of these tests have shown lead to be far below the permissible limits,” the statement added.
The five samples tested by the Government Accredited Referral Food Laboratory, Central Food Technological Research Institute, Mysuru, on samples sent by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Goa, had also found similar results.
“Maggi noodles made in India have been tested and found to be safe for consumption by the authorities of several countries across the world.”
The food safety regulator had ordered Nestle to withdraw Maggi noodles after some samples were reportedly found to contain higher-than-permissible levels of lead — a finding that was rejected by the company, saying its own independent tests suggested otherwise.
The company had halted the production of Maggi noodles in its factories since June 5 and decided to withdraw it from the market.
