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10 Mar, 2013

India Moves to boost Transparency in Clearing Hotel Projects

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New Delhi, Ministry of Tourism, 10-March, 2013 – Union Tourism Minister Mr K Chiranjeevi today announced a major initiative to bring in transparency in granting approvals for hotel projects and classification status to functioning hotels.

Presently, the hotel promoters and owners seek approval from the Ministry of Tourism for their projects and classification from one Star to Five Star Deluxe by submitting applications.

These requests are processed for a final decision within 90 days from the receipt of complete applications. At present, the applicants remain unaware of the status of their applications till the final decision is conveyed to them. With the new move, all information relating to such applications indicating the latest status will be put on the website of the Ministry of Tourism www.tourism.gov.in.

All applicants will be given a password to access the details posted on the web. The web details will indicate the date of receipt of applications, status regarding project approval, proposed date of the visit of Hotel and Restaurant Classification Committee, final recommendation of the Committee and final status of Classification/Approval.

This measure will bring in more transparency, make officials more accountable in working and enable the applicants to access information and check status of their applications sitting at their own places. The endeavour of the Ministry will remain to give a final decision on all applications complete in all respects.

The new system will be introduced from 01 April 2013.