Tourism projects: Government to persuade centre for adequate funds

PUDUCHERRY: The Puducherry government today said it will try and persuade the Tourism Ministry to sanction adequate funds to the union territory for speedy implementation of various tourism projects.

A release from the office of Welfare and Tourism Minister P Rajavelu said he would hold talks with Minister of State for Tourism (Independent charge) Dr Mahesh Sharma tomorrow in Delhi and bring to his attention the need for adequate funds from the Central Financial Assistance scheme to Puducherry.

The government needs sufficient money both to expedite implementation of ongoing projects and also to take up newer tourism development schemes in the Union Territory.

Rajavelu is also likely to make out a case for selecting Puducherry under the collaborative initiatives with France under the smart city scheme. With the Prime Minister scheduled to meet the French President in the next few days during his three nation tour, a strong case has been made out by Puducherry government that Puducherry, a former French colony, he included under the smart city scheme.

Already a few more cities are in the race for the identificatiion of their respective citities under the scheme.