Puducherry looks at opening up tourism sector from August 1

Puducherry chief minister V Narayanasamy has said that the administration is contemplating reopening the Union Territory for tourists from August 1. He said that he would write to the Union Tourism Minister to ease the lockdown and open up tourism, to revive the economy.

“The Puducherry administration managed to contain the spread of COIVID 19 due to the coordinated efforts of all sections of people. The COVID-19 recovery rate in the Union Territory is 65% and the death 1.5% of the total number of cases,” he said.

The Tourism Ministry should facilitate foreign and domestic tourists to visit Puducherry so that the government can earn revenue and employment opportunities can be revived, said Narayanasamy.

A delegation of traders and business community had apprised him of their current difficulties and lack of business activities due to the lockdown. While the lives of the people have to be protected, it is also equally important to ensure revenue generation, he said. The government is facing a difficult situation as the Centre is delaying granting approval to its budget proposals for the 2020-2021 financial year.

Puducherry is mainly dependent on tourism for its revenue, he said, adding that the government is taking steps to promote tourism further.