Source: The Sangai Express / Manipur Information Centre
New Delhi, Aug 24:
Lok Sabha MP Dr T Meinya yesterday raised a motion in Parliament during the zero hour to remove the meaningless and discriminatory Restricted Area Permit system imposed in the North East States immediately.
Drawing the attention of the House Dr Meinya said, �Tourism can be developed to its fullest potential in the North-Eastern States of the country.
The huge potential of tourism industry in the region need not be emphasized.
These States do not have enough resource or revenue collection for their developmental infrastructure.
The Union Government should try to explore the type of industries that will be suited in the region and develop them fully.
Tourism industry is one such industry through which these States shall be able to earn a good amount of revenue to supplement any deficiency and meet their other demands�.
Referring to Manipur Dr Meinya emphasized, �In this era of liberalization and globalization and in the biggest democracy of the world, we still continue with a law in my State of Manipur in the form of Protected Area Permit or Restricted Area Permit which restricts the entry of foreigners in the State�.
He said that under this law foreigners are not permitted to enter the State without a special permit issued by the Union Home Ministry, that too, for a very short duration.
By stating that such restrictions are not imposed in any part of the country, he said, �such a law is discriminatory and undemocratic and it amounts to unequal treatment amongst the States of the Union.
�Even after 60 years of independence, the North-Eastern States are still treated in a very strange manner.
But now it is high time for Union Government to look into such small but sensitive issues�.
He underlined that such restrictions and unequal treatment not only tended to alienate the people of the North-East but also seriously hindered the development of tourism in the North East region since foreign tourists were being discouraged to enter the region by such infamous law.
Drawing the attention of the Ministry of Home Affairs, the parliamentarian urged upon the Union Government to remove the meaningless and discriminatory Restricted Area Permit system operating in the region immediately.