By Our Reporter
SHILLONG, Dec 14: Shortly after the slur against the government over allegedly lavish expenditures on festivals, Tourism Minister Paul Lyngdoh has defended the money spent on the recent massive festivals in the state asserting that they have only helped in increasing the flow of tourists to the state.
“When you plant a seed, you will not see the fruits immediately, it requires time, nourishment and care,” Lyngdoh said, while adding that the state government spent Rs 1.95 crore on Cherry Blossom Festival, while the rest of the expenditures were met by the organisers through tickets and sponsors.
Defending the festivals, Lyngdoh said that the Nagaland government, on its own, made an investment of Rs 5 crore for Hornbill festival, whereas the Meghalaya government spent Rs 1.95 crore on Cherry Blossom festival.
Stating that Meghalaya is even being recognized as the next tourism destination by Outlook Magazine, Lyngdoh said that these festivals have resonated well in the country and now there is a huge demand for rooms and accommodations all across the state.
Pointing out that being critical is easy, the Tourism minister said it is commendable that the tourist flow in the state has jumped to 15 lakh, with most of them being foreign tourists.
On the accusation that the government spends lavishly on festivals when basic amenities in the state like roads and water supply are found wanting, Lyngdoh said that there are allocations for different departments and the Tourism department has not overstepped its allocation.
“We have created these festivals and allocated funds under the budgetary allocation for Tourism department and if the roads and water supply are in bad shape, it does not mean that the Tourism department stops working and wait for roads to get better,” he remarked.
Asserting that the department is not borrowing funds from other departments to organise festivals, Lyngdoh said the organisers of the festival are preparing a detailed report on the number of visitors who thronged these festivals.
He also said that many young artists of the state are being identified through these festivals.