TOURISM - Selection and earmarking of lands for construction of Hotels and allied tourism projects – Orders – Issued.

ORDER :

The Government have already declared tourism as an Industry in the State. Under this, a package of concessions, incentives and subsidies are offered. The Government of India have suggested a plan to augment hotel accommodation in all the tourist towns and centres.

2. There has been a 25% increase in Tourist traffic to the South with a clear possibility of an upward trend in future. The major hurdle in tourism development is the non-availability of land for tourism projects especially for construction of hotels.

3. In a meeting of Secretary Revenue, Secretary Finance, Secretary Housing and Urban Development Department, Secretary information & Tourism Department and Secretary Industries, held on 6-11-1992, this problem was discussed and certain measures were suggested.

4. The Government have examined these recommendations and accept in principle, the scheme of acquisition of lands for developing them as Tourism areas. They accordingly pass the following orders regarding selection and earmarking of land both Government and private lands for construction of hotels and allied tourism projects :-

1. Land should be leased to tourism projects on commercial lease rates prevalent and fixed by the Collectors as per the rules.
2. Lands should be acquired only after identifying the demand.
3. Lands can be acquired in Special Tourism Areas by the Tourism Department, as and when need arises for various projects to be developed in Government / Joint and private sector. Such acquisition of land should be based on firm demand and should be based on funds available.
4. Wherever possible, negotiation may be initiated based on guidelines to be issued by Revenue Department. Purchase of lands by private negotiations should be through a Committee for negotiating the price and as per common guidelines issued by Revenue Department.
5. For big projects like golf courses, amusement parks, large resorts, land assembly should ordinarily be through land acquisition as the desired mode.
6. To begin with Collectors of the tourist towns which came under planning regulations can identify a land mass of about 20 to 100 acres to be developed as a Tourism Zone.
7. Requisition for land would be given by Tamilnadu Tourism Development Corporation on Maharashtra pattern. Land should be purchased at best locations, beaches, hill stations, temple towns, developed by Tamilnadu Tourism Development Corporation and then sold or leased out to private parties. The guidelines adopted by Infrastructure Development Corporation for negotiation and purchase should be followed to private parties by Tamilnadu Tourism Development Corporation. This would become an income generating scheme for Tamilnadu Tourism Development Corporation. At the same time, there will be rapid growth in Infrastructure Development in the State.
8. The following towns are identified for acquisition in the first phase; Udhagamandalam (Ooty), Kodaikanal, Yercaud, Coonoor, Elagiri, Rameswaram, Kanniyakumari, Thanjavur, Thali and Hogenakkal. The Collectors of The Nilgiris, Dindigul, Salem, Ambedkar, Ramanathapuram, Kanniyakumari, Thanjavur and Dharmapuri are requested to initiate action in this regard.
9. In temple town of Madurai, where the Urban Land Ceiling Act is in operation, lands declared surplus may be allotted for Tourism at rate to be decided by Government.
10. The objective of funding each project should be purely on commercial consideration. Information & Tourism Department will need to ensure the flow of funds in each case, before acquisition as negotiated purchase is taken up.

5. All Tourist Officers should assist the Revenue Officials in identification and selection of sites.

6. This Order issues with the concurrence of Revenue Department and Finance Department, vide its U.O.No.51321 / CT / 93-1, dt : 19-8-1993, Finance Department U.O.No.79888/I & T / 93, dt : 3-9-1993.

(BY ORDER OF THE GOVERNOR)

C. K. GARIYALI,