Free tourist visa: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in a press conference yesterday at 3 PM, is announced some economic relief measures to boost sectors worst affected by the second wave of coronavirus. The government and RBI (Reserve Bank of India) have been working in tandem to support the economy since the pandemic hit the country in March 2020.
Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Monday announced that the government will issue the first 5 lakh tourist visa “free of charge” once visa issuance process is restarted. The announcement was made during a media briefing where Sitharaman announced 8 relief measures in the wake of Coronavirus Pandemic.
However, the benefit will be available only once per tourist and the scheme will be applicable till March 31, 2022 or till 5,00,000 visas are issued whichever is earlier, the Finance Minister said.
Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced these steps to ensure survival of the Covid-ravaged tourism sector as part of an economic package on Monday. Pre-Covid 2019 saw almost 1.1 crore foreign tourist arrivals (FTAs) who collectively spent $30 billion on leisure and business.
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Average daily stay for a foreign tourist in India is 21 days while average daily spending is around USD 34 (Rs 2400). “Once visa issuance is restarted, the first five lakh Tourists Visas will be issued free of charge,” the Finance Minister said.
Benefit will be available only once per tourist. The scheme will be applicable till 31st march,2022 or till 5 lakh visas are issued, whichever is earlier. Total financial implication is expected to be Rs 100 crore.
Apart from this, the centre on June 28 has also expanded the financial support being provided under the Emergency Credit Line Guarantee Scheme (ECLGS) by Rs 1.5 lakh crore. The overall cap of admissible guarantee has been raised from Rs 3 lakh crore to Rs 4.5 lakh crore, FM Nirmala Sitharaman said. FM has also announced an additional Rs 23,000 crore announced for public health with an emphasis on children and paediatric care/paediatric beds.
