State Minister for Tourism Jayprakash Rawal has apparently overruled a suggestion for austerity and use of government-empanelled agencies by the Maharasthra Tourism Development Corporation (MTDC) while organising promotional events in Germany and Russia.
Sources in the State government said the Indian Summer Days event in the German cities of Karlsruhe and Frankfurt and an Indian Film Festival in Stuttgart, and later in Russia, will cost the State exchequer ₹1.8 crore. The Devendra Fadnavis government is faced with an expenditure of ₹34,000 crore for the recently-approved farm loan waiver scheme. The events in Germany, to be held from July 19 to 23, have commenced. The Russia leg will start immediately after.
Sources said Mr. Rawal disregarded a proposal submitted on July 6 by MTDC Managing Director Vijay Waghmare, which suggested measures in keeping with the need for austerity, and names of two empanelled agencies to organise the events in both countries. “However, the very next day the Minister overruled the proposal and directed that an agency not empanelled with MTDC be given the contract,” sources said. They added that Mr. Rawal had cited the recent visit to Germany by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for the G20 summit, and the nation’s prestige, as reasons for urgency in organising the events.
In his proposal (a copy is available with this newspaper), Mr. Waghmare suggested that Nakashe Entertainment, an agency empanelled with the State government, be appointed for organising the events. He said Tattva Tourism Solutions and Alica Purple, which bid for the contract by submitting tariff cards and analysis reports, were not empanelled and had cited high rates in their proposals.
Keeping the State government’s austerity drive in mind, the proposal suggested the events in Germany be organised through the Union Ministry of Tourism. “For setting up the stall at the Karlsruhe event, accommodation and transport we must get these facilities taken care of through their government agencies. For air travel, visa, insurance, stay at Stuttgart and Frankfurt the services may be facilitated by agencies after the deduction of due service tax for the same. We are requesting the Indian Embassy in Munich to assist regarding the stay in Germany, transport and other protocols.”
On July 7, Mr. Rawal responded to the MTDC proposal saying, “In respect of your proposal (dated 06/07.2017, received by my office at 5 pm) the following serious lapses have been brought to my notice: 1. There has been a failure on your part to properly prepare the plan for the Germany tour, although prior information was given about the issue. 2. The seriousness needed to be exercised for the proposal that relates to the international image of Maharashtra was missing. 3. Our tour follows the one ongoing in Germany, where Prime Minister Narendra Modi is attending the G20 summit. Considering the fact that our tour immediately follows the PM’s visit to Germany, keeping in mind the nation’s image and the agreement in place with (the German State of) Baden-Württemberg, it was not expected the proposal would be sent three days before the tour was set to begin.”
His response also said MTDC had not done “minute detailing” and “strict planning” in the light of the agreement with the State of Baden-Württemberg, and that the State tourism department has no prior experience with the agencies as desired by the Union tourism ministry. “It is top priority to immediately take decision today (July 7, 2017) as a mere two to three working days will be available before the tour date. Of the two names of companies in your proposal, Ms. Tatva Tourism Solutions is not empanelled on the (MTDC) government list. As per your proposal, Ms Alica Purple has organised the ITB event, Berlin PATA Travel Mart and the WTM London international exhibition. Considering all these aspects, and the need for immediate decision, Alica Purple is given the contract.”
It’s budgeted: statement
A statement by a spokesperson for Mr. Rawal said, “The Minister has gone to participate in a tourism-related event and the cultural programme. in which a troupe from Maharashtra is participating. There was also another invitation to attend the Indian Film Festival. However, the Minister had declined the invitation.”
It also said, “The expenditure of ₹2 crore is being sought to be attributed as costs of the Minister’s tour, while it is actually the budgeted expenditure of the Tourism Department-organised programme (road show in Germany). The expenditure for the tour was duly done through tendering.” Meanwhile, Mr. Waghmare returned to Mumbai on Thursday. The Minister, his officer on special duty and the Joint Managing Director, MTDC will be returning on Friday, sources said.
