Govt spent nearly Rs 3 cr on 54 festivals

SHILLONG, March 21: As the Meghalaya government has incurred a cost of nearly Rs 3 crore in the last five years to organise as many as 54 festivals across the state but without any data on the tourist footfall during the period when the festivals were held.
This was revealed by the report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG).
In the absence of such data, the outcome of promotional plan showcasing the state as a popular tourist destination remains unknown.
Moreover, during the same period, there were 48 cases of crime/accidents against tourists registered across different districts, the CAG said in is report.
It also stated that no action was taken for creation of a dedicated tourist police force, besides there were no provisions for 24X7 toll free helpline for tourists.