Question : Implementation of Standing Committee Report

(a) whether the Government proposes to implement the 190th report of the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture on Development of Tourism in Darjeeling and Sikkim in 2013 wherein it was recommended that the three districts of West Bengal i.e. Darjeeling, Jalpaiguri and Cooch Behar be included in the category of North East Region of the country;
(b) if so, whether the Government plans to include these regions under the DoNER Ministry;
(c) if not, the reasons therefor;
(d) whether the Government proposes to rethink over this recommendation and implement it at the earliest; and
(e) if so, the details thereof?

The Minister of State (Independent Charge) of the Ministry of Development of
North Eastern Region
[Dr. Jitendra Singh]

(a) to (e) Vide 134th Para, the 190th Report of the Department related Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture inter-alia made recommendations on coverage of some districts in West Bengal under North East Tourism Development Scheme and extension of the benefits under 10% Gross Budgetary Support (GBS) to North Eastern Region (NER) for Development of Tourism facilities etc. in these districts. The suggestion of the Committee have been noted. Development of Tourism in the West Bengal is outside the purview of Schemes of North Eastern Council and Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region.