Chairman of Assam Tourism Development Corporation, Jayanta Malla Baruah announced few schemes for the stakeholders of the travel industry in an effort to bring respite to their crisis-battered situation.
A working capital loan with year-long moratorium period was announced for the tourism sector on 26th September, a day before World Tourism Day, under the Parjyatan Sanjeevani Scheme. Stakeholders can avail a working capital loan of Rs. 1 lakh to Rs.20 lakh from banks at 8 to 10 percent interest rate, the interest of which has to be paid after the end of one year. Further, the interest accumulated during the one year moratorium period will be borne by the government of Assam. Stakeholders in the tourism industry can apply for the same from 1st November till 31st December, 2020.
Further, the Punya Dham Scheme has been modified due to the pandemic situation to include religious places within the state rather than of other states of the country. In order to support the travel industry and revive the losses incurred, the Punya Dham Yatra would facilitate travel to renowned religious institutions within Assam. However, rather than senior citizens who were earlier beneficiaries of the scheme, only people within the age limit of 50 to 65 years can opt for this scheme, keeping in terms with the pandemic protocols.
The tourism industry of Assam has seen losses of over Rs.200 crores from the time of the CAA protest in December and the subsequent pandemic crisis. Over 5 lakh families dependent on the travel industry have been impacted adversely, with many being rendered jobless altogether.
