Question : VISA ON ARRIVAL SCHEME

(a) whether attention of the Government has been drawn to the news-item captioned `Visa-on-arrival scheme gets delayed further` appearing in the Hindustan Times dated April 12, 2002;

(b) if so, the reasons for delay;

(c) whether Customs Department and Ministry of Home Affairs have raised some objections on the speedy implementation of the scheme;

(d) if so, the details thereof; and

(e) the steps taken/proposed to be taken by the Government to sort out the objections to attract more tourists flow to the country?

MINISTER OF TOURISM & CULTURE (SHRI JAGMOHAN)

(a): Yes, Sir.

(b), (c), (d) & (e): The Government has decided not to introduce the scheme at present due to current security environment.