Morung Express News
Dimapur | December 9
Chief Minister Neiphiu Rio has in no uncertain terms made it clear that in order to project the Northeast region as a ‘tourist paradise’, the out-dated RAP/PAP regimes would have to be further relaxed or altogether removed from the statute book.
Speaking during the National Development Council meeting held at New Delhi today to discuss on the 11th Five Year Plan Draft Paper, Rio said that the RAP regime was a product of the cold war era and which do not appear to serve any useful purpose now. “Even if it cannot be removed immediately, the process of issuing RAP/PAP may be entrusted to the concerned State governments who may file weekly returns to the Ministry of Home Affairs in whatever format as may be prescribed by the Government of India”, Rio said during his address.
Describing the northeast as a region with natural beauty and ethnic charm, Rio reminded Delhi that the region can be turned into a virtual ‘tourist paradise’, provided the required infrastructures are built up and proper marketing strategy adopted.
“The northeast could be marketed as a common tourist destination and attractive tourist circuits to fit various pocket sizes can be worked out and advertised worldwide though internet”, Rio suggested while adding that the proposed creation of the Northeast Tourism Development Council was a welcome step.
