Bihar

• 28 Dec 2023

New Tourism Policy

Why in News?

Recently, the Bihar cabinet approved the Bihar Tourism Policy 2023 to attract more investment in the tourism sector.

Key points

• The policy aims to develop fundamental infrastructure near tourist destinations in the state and also includes provisions for stakeholders.
• The new policy contains several financial incentives for investors. These include:
  • Capital subsidy of 30% for investments up to Rs 10 crore.
  • 25% for investments up to Rs 50 crore.
  • 25% for investments exceeding Rs 50 crore,with a maximum limit of Rs 25 crore.
  • 100% reimbursement of land conversion fee, stamp duty and registration fee.
  • 80% reimbursement of Goods and Services Tax (GST) on commercial operation for up to 5 years.
  • 100% reimbursement of electricity tariff for new tourism units for 5 years.
  • Hoteliers and tour operators will get a 5% reimbursement of the monthly remuneration paid to tourist guides.The maximum monthly limit for this will be Rs 5000 per guide for up to 2 years.
  • incentives for green certification, MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions) promotions, are also included in the policy.
• 50% of the subsidy will be paid at the commencement of commercial operation, 25% after 2 years, and 25% after 5 years.
• A sum of Rs 62 crore is also sanctioned for the construction of an alternative approach path with sheds and a bus depot near Vishnupad Temple in Gaya.

Famous Tourist Places in Bihar: Mahabodhi Temple Complex in Bodhgaya, Vishwa Shanti Stupa in Rajgir, Nalanda, Ancient city of Patliputra, Valmiki Nagar Tiger Reserve in the West Champaran, etc,.

Approval of Infrastructure Projects

Why in News?

Recently, the Union Cabinet approved the infrastructure projects in Bihar and the North-East worth over Rs.5,500 crore.

• Projects worth Rs.2,486.78 crore for improvement and widening of the 135-km stretch of the national highway from Khowai to Harina in Tripura are also approved by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA).

Note

The CCEA also approved the Minimum Support Price (MSP) for copra for 2024.

Key Points

• A 4.56 km-long six-lane bridge over the Ganga connecting Digha and Sonepur in Bihar was approved by the cabinet.
  • Digha, in Patna district, and Sonepur, in Saran district, are currently connected by a rail-cum-road bridge that can be used by light vehicles only.
• According to the Information and Broadcasting Minister, the new bridge would connect north and south Bihar, and would allow transport by heavy vehicles.
• The project, which will take 42 months to complete, would also improve connectivity for sites of Buddhist pilgrimage like Vaishali.