Lok Sabha Question No. 2291 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2021-03-08
Subject: Impact of Pandemic on Taxi Operators
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Rajmohan Unnithan

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2291 ANSWERED ON 08.03.2021

## IMPACT OF PANDEMIC ON TAXI OPERATORS

## 2291. SHRI RAJMOHAN UNNITHAN:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  commissioned  any  study  on  the adverse  impact  of  COVID-19  pandemic  on  the  taxi  operators working in tourism sector in India;
- (b) whether the Government of India has taken any steps to mitigate the adverse impact of the pandemic on the taxi operators in India; and
- (c) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SHRI PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL)

(a): No formal study has been instituted to assess the adverse impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the taxi operators working in tourism sector in India.  However, Ministry of  Tourism, Government of India has engaged National  Council  of  Applied  Economic  Research  (NCAER)  in  January, 2021  to  conduct  study  on 'India  and  the  Coronavirus  Pandemic: Economic Losses  for  Households  Engaged  in  Tourism  and  Policies  for Recovery'. One of the objective of this study is to quantify the sectorwise and overall loss in  income  of  the  economy  and  of  the  household sector  and  also  the  loss  in  jobs,  due  to  the  impact  of  Coronavirus pandemic on the tourism sector.

(b) & (c): The Ministry of Tourism recognizes the importance of protective steps and relief measures to ensure the survival and revival of the tourism industry. The steps taken to mitigate adverse impact of the pandemic on tourism industry including travel and tour operators in India are at Annexure.

*******

## ANNEXURE

STATEMENT  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (b)  &  (c)  OF  THE  LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.2291 ANSWERED ON 08.03.2021 REGARDING IMPACT OF PANDEMIC ON TAXI OPERATORS

The Ministry of Tourism has taken the following steps to overcome the crisis caused by Covid-19 pandemic in the tourism sector:

- i. Detailed  operational  guidelines  for  Covid  safety  and  hygiene for hotels, restaurants, B&Bs/Home stays and Tourism Service Providers  have  been  formulated  and  issued  on  08.06.2020  to facilitate smooth resumption of business.
- ii. Validity of  approval  or  certifications  of  hotels  and  other accommodation units whose project approval/re-approval and classification/re-classification  have  expired  /  were  likely  to expire, has been extended upto 30th April, 2021.
- iii. The Ministry, has developed an initiative called  SAATHI (System for Assessment, Awareness & Training for Hospitality Industry), 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.
- iv. Operational Recommendations for safe resumption of business with  easing  of  lockdown  restrictions  have  been  issued  for various  segments  of  the  travel  and  hospitality  industry  and circulated amongst all stakeholders.
- v. Recognition of Travel Agents, Tour Operators, Tourist Transport  Operators  by  the  Ministry  of  Tourism  has  been extended  automatically by six  months.  Those  who  have submitted  applications  for  recognition  by  the  Ministry  have been  given  provisional  recognition  for  six  months,  pending completion of required procedures.
- vi. In  addition  to  the  above  steps  taken  by  Ministry  of  Tourism, other agencies/Ministries of Government of India have declared stimulus packages like loan moratorium, waived off PF contribution, deferment of TCS  up to October 2020, collateral free automatic loan under Atamnirbhar Bharat package  etc.  to  revive  the  economy  and  industry  including units of the hospitality industry.

*******