Specific law to protect tourists from touts sought

New Delhi, Feb 26 (PTI) Taking note of several cases of
tourists being fleeced and harassed by touts during their
visit to India, a parliamentary committee has strongly
recommended enactment of a specific law to ensure their
safety.

Expressing surprise at the absence of any specific law
to deal with the tout menace, the parliamentary committee on
tourism said safety and security of tourists is paramount and
should be looked into seriously.

At present action is taken against touts under Section
151 of CrPC and Section 97 of the Delhi Police Act for
creating nuisance that entails a very minor punishment.

The committee sought to know from the Tourism Ministry
about the steps taken to protect the foreign tourist from
being fleeced by the touts and the kind of harassment they
suffer and other such problems.

"Security and safety of tourist is our top priority and
we have undertaken a series of measures to ensure the security
for tourists," said a senior tourism ministry official.

Recently we have launched an awareness campaign against
fleecing of foreign tourists by unscrupulous elements
involving noted film star Aamir Khan, said the official.

About a suitable legislation to tackle the menace, the
official said the ministry is in the process of formulating
such a law.

In order to curb cases of cheating and fleecing of
tourists, Tourism Ministry has advised state governments to
deploy tourist police at all important destinations.

The ministry has framed guidelines with the help of
Home Ministry and Directorate General of Resettlement of
Defence Ministry regarding formation of Tourist Security
Force.

Ten state governments including Andhra Pradesh,
Rajasthan, Goa, UP, Himachal and Delhi have deployed tourist
police in one form or other.

The committee however, feels the need for
strengthening tourist police at all tourist destinations and
recommends to equip tourist police with vehicles and mobile
telephones.

Besides tourist police must be given training in
English language for providing information or guidance to
tourists.

Since a lot of complaints emanate from tourists being
harassed at the airport, the committee has also sought the
cooperation from Civil Aviation Ministry and Airport Authority
of India in dealing with the menace.

Tourism Ministry has also set up a tourist complaint
cell for redressal of complaints from tourists.