The West Bengal Tourism Minister, Mr Rachhpal Singh, on Thursday urged the Centre to allocate more funds in the upcoming Budget for development of tourism in the East, especially in West Bengal.

The current allocation of funds for tourism development in the State stands at nearly Rs. 25 crore.

“Adequate funds should be allocated for the development of tourism in West Bengal and the entire East. We are currently getting a measly annual fund,” Mr Singh told newspersons on the sidelines of a seminar on tourism organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

The minister also said that the State Government has identified five districts for tourism development through public private partnership route.

Places like Darjeeling in North Bengal and islands of Sundarbans offer immense scope for tourism development; however, lack of adequate infrastructure was a major bottleneck.

CII has submitted a feasibility report based on its studies in Darjeeling and Sundarbans to the State Government, Mr Singh said.

According to Mr Singh, the Union Government's Incredible India programme has not adequately focused on the eastern region so far.