THE PRIEST

The Union Cabinet today approved the promulgation of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands Marine Fishing (Amendment) Regulation, 2011 by the President under article 240 of the Constitution. The approval will strengthen the coastal security in the coastline of the Union territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands in an effective manner by having a streamlined system of registration of all fishing vessels under a single law namely the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958. 

Cruise tourism has the potential to attract both domestic as well as foreign tourists in the country. The Ministry of Tourism in association with the Ministry of Shipping promotes cruise tourism. Ministry of Tourism provides Central Financial Assistance (CFA) to the State Governments/UT Administration/Central Government Agencies under the following schemes for development of tourism including cruise tourism: 1. Product/Infrastructure Development for Destinations and Circuits. 2. Assistance for Large Revenue Generating Projects. 3. Assistance to Central Agencies for Infrastructure Development. No project relating to development of cruise tourism has been sanctioned during the last two years and the current year. Initially, five ports namely Mumbai, Goa, Chennai, Mangalore and Kochi have been identified for cruise tourism including development of cruise terminal. The Government of India has approved the Cruise Shipping Policy in June 2008. Some salient features of this pol...