Question : HARASSMENT OF FOREIGN TOURISTS

(a) whether due to the increase in the incidents of harassments, cheating, molestation and rape involving foreign tourists, the Union Government has asked the State Governments to introduce special tourists police for safety of women tourists and so far only 10 States have introduced special tourists police;

(b) if so, the details of the States who have not so far considered the directive of the Union Government;

(c) the reasons therefor; and

(d) the time by which the State Governments are likely to be introduced tourist police force at various tourist spots?

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM AND CULTURE (SMT. AMBIKA SONI)

(a), (b), (c) & (d): The following ten states namely; Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Goa, Kerala, Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh and Delhi have deployed tourist police in one form or another. Safety & Security is a State subject and the decision regarding introduction of tourist police has to be taken by the concerned State Governments. The Ministry of Tourism has been advising all State Governments to deploy tourist police for the safety & security of foreign & domestic tourists.