According to a PTI report, as per latest statistics prepared by the Ministry of Tourism (MoT), Sikkim has emerged as topper in utilising maximum funds in tourism infrastructure in the Eleventh Five Year Plan. The state has spent Rs 163.44 crore, which is a maximum utilisation of funds by any state in tourism projects up to September 2009. Sikkim has been followed by Jammu and Kashmir which spent Rs 141.70 crore for development of tourism in the state. Sujit Banerjee, Secretary, MoT said, “Sikkim is the top state in utilising maximum funds in tourism projects. It recently undertook three heliport projects.” The Government of India (GoI) had earmarked a total fund of Rs 5,156 crore for tourism in the Eleventh Plan beginning 2007-08.
Besides Sikkim and Jammu and Kashmir, other states which figure in the top ten states in terms of utilising funds in tourism projects include: Andhra Pradesh (Rs 129.82 crore), Madhya Pradesh (Rs 113.77 crore), Karnataka (Rs 90.67 crore), Goa (Rs 86.24 crore), West Bengal (Rs 82.90 crore), Rajasthan (Rs 82.28 crore), Arunachal Pradesh (Rs 79.50 crore) and Tamil Nadu (Rs 77.92 crore).
When asked, why many states are not able to spend maximum funds, Banerjee said, “We monitor the progress of the projects after giving initial funds. More funds are released only after submission of the utilisation certificate by the concerned state.” Admitting that Jharkhand is lagging behind in spending in tourism projects, Banerjee stated that the state is slow in submitting utilisation certificate.
