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Finance Minister omits special funds for Maharashtra even as the state celebrates its golden jubilee

Even as the Maharashtra Economic Development Council (MEDC) christened 2010 as the 'Visit Golden Maharashtra Year', Finance Minister Pranab Mukherjee overlooked the state's golden jubilee celebrations.

Golden parachute: Goa has been granted Rs 200 crore as a special golden jubilee package. FILE PIC

Travel agents and officials in Maharashtra are annoyed that Goa has been granted Rs 200 crore as a special golden jubilee package with the aim to preserve its natural resources. The funds will be used to restore Goa's beaches, which are prone to erosion, as well as increase the state's green cover through sustainable forestry.

"Maharashtra has tremendous potential as a tourist spot, which is still untapped. I am really disappointed that the FM failed to allocate any funds to Maharashtra tourism, which suffered losses post 26/11-terror attack. Like Goa, Maharashtra too should have been allocated some funds," said Vinod Gupta, vice-president, international,

Beach bachao

The package for Goa is slated to revive the state's tourism industry, which took a hit after a spate of crimes against foreigners. Travel and Tourism Association of Goa president Ralph de Souza said, "Goa's beaches -- the state's USP -- have eroded over the years. We must make every effort possible to preserve our selling point." He added that the state was also getting a 300-member taskforce to enhance security of tourists. The Goa tourism minister, however, declined to elaborate on how the funds would be utilised. -- Alisha Coelho

of MEDC. Gupta has been working on the project, in accordance with the MTDC.

"However, we've already appealed to the government to allocate funds for Maharashtra tourism, and are hoping for something to come out of this," said Gupta.

M N Pimple, vice-president (tourism), Maharashtra Pradesh Congress Committee (MPCC), which is also celebrating its 125th year, added, "Goa is already an established state and they don't really need any funds. Maharashtra should have been allocated some funds," said Pimple.

Tour operators echoed Gupta's sentiments. "There is so much to explore in Maharashtra but there are no basic facilities available. The government should have done something to boost Maharashtra Tourism. If we want to be at par of other states like Kerala and Goa," said Iqbal Mulla, Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI).