Jaipur, December 18, 2024.
The GST Council meeting on Dec 20-21 in Jaisalmer will be chaired by Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman and attended by finance ministers of various states and high-level govt officials. With over 300 high-profile participants expected to visit the desert destination, it is expected that tourism will get a filip from the event.
The council is likely to discuss rationalisation of tax rates on items like health insurance premiums, packaged water, cycles, notebooks, and wristwatches at the meeting. Underlining the significance of the meeting, Jitendra Singh Rathore, vice-chairman of PHDCCI-Rajasthan, said, “Tourism will certainly get a boost, however small it is, but we think the significance of Jaisalmer hosting so many people who matter most for framing policies would be much more than tourism.”
Rathore said despite being a unique tourism destination and a region that shares borders with Pakistan, Jaisalmer has not received adequate attention for improving its infrastructure.
“They will get to see the infrastructure in the district firsthand. They will also find many areas that are crying for attention. Jaisalmer will certainly come to their mind when they think of improving places like this in the country,” said Rathore.
Connectivity continues to be a sore point for the development of the desert district with only two trains passing through it. Air connectivity is irregular, barring a few flights during the tourist season.
“The Centre provides funds for the rejuvenation of tourist landmarks and Jaisalmer has many locations that need financial support to make the destination attractive,” said Rathore.
