Lok Sabha Question No. 5012 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2019-07-23
Subject: Crime against Foreigners
Ministry: HOME AFFAIRS
Asked by: T.N. Prathapan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 5012

TO BE ANSWERED ON THE 23 RD  JULY, 2019/ SHRAVANA 1, 1941 (SAKA)

CRIME AGAINST FOREIGNERS

5012. SHRI T.N. PRATHAPAN:

Will the Minister of HOME AFFAIRS be pleased to state:

(a)  whether  the  Government  has  any  data  regarding  crimes  against foreign tourists in the country;

(b) if so, the details thereof;

(c)  whether  the  Government  has  taken  any  measures  to  prevent  the crimes against foreign tourists; and

(d) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS (SHRI NITYANAND RAI)

(a) & (b): Yes,  Sir.  As  per  the  latest  published  report  of  the  National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) the number of cases registered under total crimes committed against foreign tourists during the year 2016 is 284.

(c) & (d): 'Police' and  'Public Order' are State subjects under the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India and State Governments are responsible  for  prevention,  detection,  registration  and  investigation  of crime  including  crimes  against  foreign  tourists and for prosecuting the

criminals through their law enforcement agencies. However, the Ministry of Home Affairs have issued advisories to States and UTs, from time to time, to maintain law and order and ensure that any person who takes law into his/her own hand is punished promptly as per law.

To  ensure  the  safety  and  security  of  tourists  including  foreign tourists, the Government has taken following measures -

- (i)    The  Ministry  of  Tourism  along  with  all  stakeholders,  including  the Tourism Departments of all States and UTs, have adopted the 'Code of Conduct for Safe & Honourable Tourism' which is a set of guidelines to encourage  tourism  activities  to  be  undertaken  for  basic  rights  like dignity,  safety  and  freedom  from  exploitation  of  both  tourists  and  local residents in particular, women and children.
- (ii)  The Ministry of Tourism has launched the 24x7 Multi-Lingual Tourist Info-Helpline on the toll free number 1800111363 or on a short code 1363 in  Hindi,  English  and  10  international  Languages  in  February  2016,  for domestic  and  foreign  tourists  to  provide  support  service  in  terms  of information  relating to Travel in India and  also  offers  appropriate guidance to tourists in distress while travelling in India.

## L.S.US.Q.NO.5012 FOR 23.07.2019

(iii)  The  Ministry  of  Tourism  has  issued  the  Guidelines  on  Safety  and Security of Tourists for State Governments/Union Territories and Tips for travelers  in  September  2014  to  stress  on  the  importance  of  safety  and risk  management,  assist  in  identifying  best  practices  and  encourage closer cooperation for ensuring a pleasant experience to the tourists.

- (iv)    The  Ministry  of  Tourism  conducts  constant  dialogue  with  State Governments/Union  Territory  Administrations,  various  tourism  related institutions  for  development  and  promotion  of  tourism  in  the  country including safe and honourable tourism.
- (v)    Emergency  Response  Support  System,  which  provides  a  single emergency number (112) based computer aided dispatch of field resources  to  the  location  of  distress  has  been  operationalized  in  20 States/UTs in 2018-19.

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