Lok Sabha Question No. 5166 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-04-03
Subject: Relief Package for Tourism Sector in Kerala
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Suresh Kodikunnil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5166 ANSWERED ON 03.04.2023

## RELIEF PACKAGE FOR TOURISM SECTOR IN KERALA

## 5166. SHRI KODIKUNNIL SURESH:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government intends to support the tourism sector in Kerala especially the homestay and small scale houseboat and restaurant ventures that suffered heavy losses due to lockdown and subsequent dip in tourism in Kerala; and
- (b) if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  allocation  of  relief  packages  or support schemes if announced or under consideration?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM                            (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

- (a) & (b): The Government of India announced various relief measures for Industry including tourism sector of the country including Kerala. The details of the same are placed at Annexure.  The measures also included  support  for  Micro,  Small  and  Medium  Enterprises  in  the tourism sector.

The  Ministry  of  Tourism  has  also  been  conducting  sensitization workshops for promotion of Homestays/Bed & Breakfast establishments and their classification.

*****

STATEMENT  IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) & (b) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.5166 ANSWERED ON 03.04.2023 REGARDING RELIEF PACKAGE FOR TOURISM SECTOR IN KERALA.

Following are the various relief measures announced by the Government for redeveloping post-COVID tourism sector of the country including Kerala:

- (i) The  Government  announced  Atmanirbhar  Bharat  Package  vide which  Rs.3.00  lakh  crore  collateral  free  automatic  loan  was made available for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs).  The  loan  will  have  4-  year  tenure  and  12-month moratorium.
- (ii) Under Atmanirbhar Bharat package, Provident Fund contribution of both employer and employee was reduced to 10% each from existing 12% each for all establishments covered by Employees' Provident Fund Organization (EPFO) for three months.
- (iii) Return filing deferred for three months with no penal interest for companies up to Rs.5.00 Crore, rest @ 9% penal interest.
- (iv) The Government waived off PF contribution for three months for organizations with less than 100 pax and 90% of their employees earn below Rs.15000.
- (v) Deferment of Tax Collected at Source (TCS) up to October 2020.
- (vi)    The  Central government also gave relief from various regulatory compliances under  Income  Tax  Act,  companies  Act  and  Goods and  Service  Tax  (GST)  Act  for  varying  period  in  the  wake  of COVID-19 crisis to ensure business continuity and survival.
- (vii) Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) was launched in May, 2020 as part of Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan to support eligible  Micro,  Small  and  Medium  Enterprises  (MSMEs)  and business enterprises in  meeting  their  operational  liabilities  and restarting  their  businesses.  Under  the  scheme,  100%  credit guarantee  is  extended  to  the  lending  institutions  for  loans extended by them under the scheme to eligible borrowers. The admissible guarantee limit under the scheme has been increased from Rs. 4.5  lakh  crore  to  Rs.  5  lakh  crore,  with  the  additional
- guarantee  cover  of  Rs.  50,000  crore  earmarked  exclusively  for the  Hospitality  and  related  enterprises  including  Civil  Aviation sector.
- (viii)  On 28 th  June 2021, the Government  announced  a stimulus package to boost diverse sectors of economy affected by COVID19  pandemic  and  provide  impetus  for  growth  and  employment measures.  The  package  comprises  a  total  of  17  measures  in three  broad  categories,  which  included  'Economic  relief  from Pandemic, with special focus on health and reviving travel and tourism secto rs' and 'Impetus for Growth and employment'.
- (ix) Ministry of Tourism launched 'Loan Guarantee Scheme for COVID Affected  Tourism  Service  Sector  (LGSCATSS)',  which  aims  at extending collateral free loan to the distressed tourism sector to help  them  discharge  their  liabilities  and  restart  their  business affected due to Covid-19 pandemic under this scheme, collateral free Loan upto Rs.10.00 lakh each may be availed by Ministry of Tourism approved Tour operator/Travel Agents/Tourist Transport Operators and upto Rs.1.00 lakh each may be availed by RLGs/IITGs approved by Ministry of Tourism and Tourist Guides approved by State Government/UT Administration. The scheme is already operational through 18 Scheduled Commercial Banks. Validity  of  the  scheme  has  been  extended  by  one  more year i.e.  till  31 st  March, 2023 or till the guarantee of Rs. 250.00 crore are issued under the scheme.
- (x) With a view to prepare for a post-COVID 19 revival, the Ministry has  formulated  and  issued  detailed  operational  guidelines  for COVID safety and hygiene for hotels, restaurants, B&Bs/Homestays and Tourism Service Providers on 08.06.2020 to facilitate smooth resumption of business.
- (xi) An initiative called SAATHI (System for Assessment, Awareness &  Training  for  Hospitality  Industry)  has  been  developed  for effective implementation of Guidelines/SOPs issued with reference to COVID-19 and beyond for safe operations of Hotels, restaurants, B&Bs and other units.
- (xii)  With an aim to incentivize stakeholders in the Tourism industry, the Guidelines for the scheme of Market Development Assistance (MDA)  for  providing  financial  support  to  stakeholders  for  the promotion of Domestic Tourism have been modified to enhance
- the scope and reach of the scheme, so as to provide maximum benefits  to  the  stakeholders.  Additional  promotional  activities have  been  incorporated  including  online  promotions  and  the extent  of  financial  assistance  permissible  has  been  enhanced. The Guidelines of the Marketing Development Assistance Programme under the Overseas Promotion and Publicity Scheme has  been  modified  to  enhance  the  scope  and  reach  of  the scheme, so as to provide maximum benefits to the stakeholders in the tourism industry.
- (xiii)  For  the  purpose  of  restarting  inbound  tourism  and  attracting foreign  tourists  in  the  country,  Government  of  India  extended first  5  lakh  visas  to  the  foreign  tourists  from  potential  tourism markets, free of cost. The benefit of free of charge visa will be available only once per tourist during the issuance of the first 5 lakh tourist visas.
- (xiv)  Owing to the situation which arose out of COVID19 pandemic, Ministry  of  Tourism  in  consultation  with  Ministry  of Health  &  Family  Welfare  issues  guidelines/directions  to  the Tourism Stakeholders, Hotels and Restaurants to facilitate smooth resumption of business.
- (xv) Ministry  of  Home  Affairs  restored  e-Tourist  Visa  for  foreign nationals of 166 countries as on date.

*****