GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

MINISTRY OF TOURISM

LOK SABHA

STARRED QUESTION NO: 136

ANSWERED ON:05.03.2010

SAFETY OF FOREIGN TOURISTS

SANJAY SINGH CHAUHAN

(a)whether incidents of misbehaviour with the foreign tourists and crimes including sexual harassment of female tourists have increased in different parts of the country in the recent past;

(b)if so,the details thereof, State-wise and its effects on the tourism industry; and

(c)the action taken/contemplated by the Government in this direction?

Will the Minister of TOURISMbe pleased to state:- 

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM

(KUMARI SELJA) 

(a) to (c): A statement is laid on the table of the Sabha. STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) to (c) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. +136 ANSWERED ON 05.03.2010 REGARDING SAFETY OF FOREIGN TOURISTS.

(a) to (c): There have been reports in the media highlighting case of harassment and misbehavior with tourists in India.However, ‘Public Order’ and ‘Police’ are State subjects as per the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India and as such, registration, investigation, detection and prevention of crime against tourists, including foreign tourists is primarily the responsibility of the State Government including sexual harassment of foreign tourists. In order to ensure safety and security of the tourists, Ministry of Tourism has advised all the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations to deploy Tourist Police. Ministry of Tourism has also circulated guidelines for formation of Tourist Security Organization(s) comprising Ex–Servicemen for the safety and security of tourists to State Governments/Union Territory Administrations.