GOA

TTAG blames state govt for decline in tourist footfalls

The Travel and Tourism Association of Goa (TTAG) Friday said that 2018-19 season is the worst that the industry has seen so far.
According to the representative body, room occupancy in the current season dropped drastically during the 2018 year-end and on the night of December 31, with hotels in North Goa reporting occupancy as low as between 30 per cent and 60 per cent. Most of the Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) hotels also faced low occupancy on the peak day of the season.
From figures gathered from the immigration department at the airport, the TTAG has estimated a decrease in foreign tourist arrivals by 30 per cent in the current year. International tourists are keeping away from the state, as it has become a costly destination, claimed the body.

The TTAG has identified faulty waste management, high GST rates, expensive taxis, harassment of tourists by police and deteriorating quality as some of the problems facing Goa tourism.

The travel body has strongly contested the government’s claim of rise in tourist arrivals. It is in favour of electronic dance music festivals (EDMs) and said that fees related to the music festivals need to be lowered.

INTERNATIONAL

● India’s growth rate to touch 7.5 percent in 2019-20: World Bank

The World Bank has said that India’s economy will accelerate to 7.5% in 2019-20 as consumption remains robust and investment growth continues in the country.
It also added that India will retain its position as the fastest growing major economy in the world.
World Bank’s report has also projected India’s 2020-21 and 2021-22 fiscal years’ growth rate at 7.5%.
In South Asia, Pakistan’s growth rate is forecast to fall drastically from last fiscal year’s 5.8 per cent to 3.7 per cent this fiscal year.

India to become world’s third largest consumer market by 2030: WEF

A report by World Economic Forum (WEF) said that India is set to become the world’s third largest consumer market behind only USA and China by 2030.
Consumer spending in India is expected to grow from 1.5 trillion US dollar at present to six trillion US dollar by 2030.
With the annual GDP growth rate of 7.5 percent, India is currently the world’s sixth largest economy.

NATIONAL

● Centre introduced the Trade Unions Act, 1926 in LS

Centre introduced a Bill in the Lok Sabha to amend the Trade Unions Act, 1926.

The Centre said that the Bill would grant recognition to trade unions, ensure representation of workers in tripartite bodies and check arbitrary nomination by the government. The CPI(M) members protested against introducing the Bill and walked out in protest.

● Centre has launched NCAP to combat air pollution

The Centre has launched the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), a programme to reduce particulate matter (PM), pollution by 20-30% in at least 102 cities by 2024.
The National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), which was formally unveiled is envisaged as a scheme to provide the States and the Centre with a framework to combat air pollution.
The World Health Organisation’s database on air pollution over the years has listed Tier I and Tier II Indian cities as some of the most polluted places in the world. In 2018, 14 of the world’s 15 most polluted cities were in India.

● Cabinet approved the setting up of 3 AIIMS in J&K and Gujarat

⇨ The Union Cabinet approved the setting up of three All India Institutes of Medical Sciences in Jammu and Kashmir and Gujarat. The institutes will be set up under the Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana. These will be in Samba in Jammu at a cost of Rs. 1,661 crore, in Pulwama in Kashmir at a cost of Rs. 1,828 crore, and in Rajkot, Gujarat, at a cost of Rs. 1,195 crore.

⇨ The objective is to establish the new AIIMS as Institutions of National Importance for providing quality tertiary healthcare, medical education, nursing education and research in the region.

⇨ The Cabinet approval also involves the creation of a post of director with a basic pay of Rs. 2,25,000 for each of the three AIIMS. The cost of construction, operation, and maintenance of the three AIIMS will be fully borne by the Central government.

Six States sign agreement for Renukaji Multipurpose Dam Project

An agreement for Renukaji Dam Multipurpose Project signed among the states of Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Delhi, Rajasthan and Uttarakhand. The project is aimed at meeting the drinking water needs of these states.
Under it, three storage projects are proposed to be constructed on the river Yamuna and two of its tributaries – Tons and Giri in the hilly regions of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.
These include Lakhwar project on river Yamuna in Uttarakhand, Kishau on river Tons in Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh and Renukaji on river Giri in Himachal Pradesh.
The projects were conceived in 2008. Most of the irrigation cost and the drinking water component of these projects will be funded by the central government. In addition to this a concession agreement will also be signed for Namami Gange projects for the city of Prayagraj under Hybrid Annuity Mode and One City One Operator Concept.

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