4 crore tourists visited Raj in 2016: Tourism minister

Jaipur: Rajasthan has recorded increase of 17.93 per cent and 2.60 per cent in the inflow of domestic and foreign tourists, respectively in two years. Rural Development minister Rajendra Rathore informed the House that 3.66 crore tourists visited the state in 2015, while the number of tourists was four crore last year. He said in the year 2015 and 2016, the inflow of tourists has increased.

Replying to a question during the Question Hour, Rathore said Chief Minister Vasundhara Raje has increased the budget of the tourism department by 22.37 per cent in the state budget 2017-18. "As per the report of the government of India in 2015, Rajasthan ranks 6th in the country for the number of tourists. Barring Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan is ahead from other neighbouring states of Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Haryana and Punjab in terms of the arrival of tourists," he said.

Rathore informed the House that the state government was working on improving intra-state air connectivity to boost tourism and the tourists spots are well connected by road and rail. Replying to a question on upgradation of schools, the School Education Minister Vasudev Devnani said no school has been closed in the state. He said the government merged those schools where the number of students was low.

During the Question Hour, BJP MLA Hira Lal insisted the health minister Kalicharan Saraf to upgrade a primary health center to community health center in Jhilai area in his constituency Niwai. He said he has repeatedly requested Saraf to make the announcement to upgrade the PHC to CHC but the minister said that any decision will only be taken on the basis of merit and the availability of financial and other resources.