Kadakampally Surendran assumed the helm of affairs at Kerala
Tourism, when it was already hit by the issue of alcohol ban by the previous
government. A few months into his job, more was to follow as the Central
Government unleashed its controversial demonetization program that took the
lakhs of Kerala bound overseas tourists by surprise. Making matters worse was
the fact that another Ministry that Surendran heads, Co-operation, especially
its Cooperative Banks taking massive impact from the cash crunch.
But under
Surendran’s able guidance, both the Tourism and Cooperation Ministries have
weathered the storms, and are getting back to normal. Challenges continue to
arise randomly as the recent Supreme Court order banning bar hotels on all
highways have further affected the prospects of the high-value international
MICE tourism in the state. Also adding to Brand Kerala’s woes is the new annual
cleanliness index where Kerala cities fared poorly due to a technical issue.
However, Surendran epitomizes the new generation of younger leaders in CPI(M)
who won’t give up without a fight.
Under his leadership, the Tourism Ministry
and Department are consolidating the strengths of Brand Kerala in international
tourism circuits. These initiatives include a brand new Tourism Policy hinging
on Responsible Tourism and creation of basic infrastructure. Hitherto
unattended but breathtaking Malabar or North Kerala is getting its well
deserved attention as a cluster of high potential tourism magnets. Shedding
LDF’s previous aversion to private investments, Surendran is spearheading
efforts to facilitate PPP projects and even private investments in public
infrastructure. Around 100 new projects have been given permission, while the
government is focusing its energies also on growing pilgrim circuits, forest
circuits, adventure tourism, river tourism, lake tourism etc. At the heart of
his philosophy is that tourism should ultimately benefit the local populations.
Seasonal Magazine recently met Kadakampally Surendran, Kerala’s
Minister for Tourism, Co-operation, & Devasom, for this exclusive
interview:
When the Government
completes its first year, what would you consider the main achievements of the
Tourism Ministry?
We have created several new projects during this past year,
in the tourism sector. Special focus has been given to developing the Malabar
or North Kerala region. This is in synergy with the upcoming commissioning of
the Kannur International Airport. A new River Tourism project costing Rs.300
crore has been given permission. The Thalassery Heritage project which was
started by the previous LDF Government, but which went stagnant during the UDF
rule, has been revived. This project will benefit the whole of North Malabar.
Some of the great beaches in Malabar like Muzhappilangadu and Dharmadom have
been allowed expansion plans, including a ropeway. All these projects will
increase the inflow of tourists into Malabar by tenfold or more in the long
run. Currently, not even 1% of tourists visiting Kerala are visiting the
Malabar region. Only pilgrim tourists come there to visit some renowned
temples. The potential of Malabar is immense especially with possibilities like
River Tourism.
What about other
regions of Kerala like Central and Southern Districts?
All districts are getting optimum focus. The first stage of
Muziris Heritage Project is over and is a reasonable success despite some deficiencies
that the Government will address soon. The second stage of this project has
been started now. A similar heritage project has been given permission in
Alleppey. An IAS officer is being appointed as its Special Officer. A new
Ashtamudi Lake Project is being pursued. Since there is a dearth of
International Convention Centres in the southern districts, the proposal for
Aakkulam International Convention Centre has been revived. Its foundation stone
was laid during Kodiyeri Balakrishnan’s tenure, in tie-up with Raheja Group.
But nothing happened during the past 5 years of UDF, and the re-negotiation has
now made fruitful progress. Altogether, around 100 new tourism projects have
been given permission all over the state.
You had recently
mooted a project for a new forest eco-tourism circuit? What are its specifics?
Forest based eco-tourism is mainly to promote adventure
tourism in the state which attracts young travelers from all over India and
abroad. But it can be attempted successfully only with the help of Forest
Department. This is what is being attempted now. Tourism department will spend
and Forest Department will build the basic infrastructure according to their
norms. As a first stage of this program, existing adventure tourism
infrastructure in destinations like Ponmudi and Thenmala would be expanded and
modernized.
Is the Government
open to the PPP model?
Definitely. We will consider PPP on a case-by-case manner.
The upcoming Jatayu Para project is a recent example. We are spending Rs.50
crore for this project, and providing all basic infrastructure and facilities
like excellent road connectivity, electricity, ropeway etc. This project is
likely to be opened for visitors this September.
Is the Government
planning to announce a new Tourism Policy?
We are working on it, and while still not launched, I can
share you the broad themes. The new policy will focus on responsible tourism
and the basic infrastructure development. Our people should benefit from
tourist inflow, the ecology and heritage should be protected, and the
government will take the lead in providing basic infrastructure.
How far has the ban
on alcoholic beverages affected tourist inflows?
The scarcity of alcohol has seriously affected some segments
of tourist inflows, especially in the MICE segment. We have lost out many
international meetings and conventions. Even an international convention of top
academics and professors we couldn’t host due to this issue. Some people
foolishly think that they come here to booze. Rather, a social drink in the
evening after meetings is a norm across the Western world. Instead, if our
rules and regulations say that even wine and beer should stop by 10 PM, and by
if you don’t stop by 11 PM you would be arrested, won’t it scare away the
tourists? That is what has happened unfortunately. Now, we are trying to get
permission for alcoholic beverages to at least tourists staying in the better
hotels.
Did demonetization
affect Kerala Tourism?
It affected because the cash crunch happened during the peak
tourism season of November and December. There were incidents of tourists
getting stranded without Indian currency, and this news got spread in the
international tourism circuit.
Religious circuits
are quite popular in the state. What are your plans to augment the inflows?
Four major projects are being planned. First is the
development and modernization of infrastructure and facilities in the temple
township of Guruvayoor. We had submitted a Rs.100 crore proposal for the same
to Centre, but they have trimmed it and made it a Rs.46 crore one. This plan
will also include installation of modern monitoring systems like cameras for
added security. Similar projects are being created for Sabarimala and Sree
Padmanabhaswamy Temple. A project to develop the Malayatoor-Kalady pilgrim
circuit at a cost of Rs.300 crore has also been submitted to the Central
Government, in discussion with the region’s MP.
How do you view
Kerala Cities falling sharply in the Cleanliness Index by the Central
Government?
It is a technical issue, as this year the Central Government
made their decision based on whether a large waste management project in
available in a city. Unfortunately, after some of our large waste management plans
were shut down due to local resistance, Kerala was resorting to decentralized
waste management including managing waste at source. This is the more holistic
approach and the better option suitable for a state like Kerala with high
population density. We feel that Central Government used these norms to tarnish
Kerala and the LDF Government. But all Keralites and the tourists know the
ground situation. They travel all over India and know which are its big cities
that stink. You yourself travel, and you can judge.
How are you
leveraging the new KIIFB funding for your projects?
Many of our projects are KIIFB funded. These include some
beach modernizations like at Chethy in Alappuzha. Then there is the Sargalaya
at Iringal that will benefit regions like Vadakara and Payyoli. It is a Rs.81
crore project funded by KIIFB. Also some dam modifications like at
Kanjirappuzha and Thenmala are through this new fund route. We have given
permission for all these projects.
What are the new
innovations being planned by Tourism Ministry?
A key innovation being planned is accessibility to
differently abled visitors. No new project that is not friendly to the
differently abled will be given permission. A new arrangement of Destination
Monotoring Committees are being set up, chaired by the region’s MLA and having
all concerned officers. Similarly, a new Technical Sanctioning Committee has
been formed that will make various technical clearances including environmental
clearance faster. We have also launched a new Mission for Responsible Tourism.
How far was tourism
growth affected during the past year?
There was no decline in absolute number of tourists. But the
growth rate was affected. It was not up to expectations, especially considering
the huge efforts the tourism department and private players had put in. More
than footfalls, growth in value too was affected as high value products like
MICE got hit.
How far will the new
Kerala Bank formed by amalgamation of Cooperative Banks be practically useful?
The Kerala public now feels that it is essential, especially
after the demonetization issue and the merger of SBT into SBI which has raised
the user charges. The Expert Committee Report for the formation of Kerala Bank
has already been received and Special Officer approved. We hope to make it a
reality within the next 21 months. It will not only help Keralites due to its
proposed low charges, but the development of Kerala as a whole.
Apart from Kerala
Bank, what are the initiatives under the Cooperation Ministry?
During the last year, the cooperative banks in Kerala were
hit massively by the Central Government’s demonetization drive. The very fact
that we have survived this onslaught, and come out unscathed has been the
greatest achievement. I heard recently from some top private sources that at
RBI headquarters they are studying how Kerala cooperatives could survive this
issue. We not only survived but grew our deposit base from Rs.1.5 lakh crore to
Rs.1.75 lakh crore. A new software is being planned for taking banking services
beyond core banking. We have also taken up a major fight with corrupt forces in
the cooperative sector. Corrupt officers have been identified and sidelined
from responsible posts. Even a few cooperative banks following corruption have
been pulled up and reined in. The government won’t keep a shut eye towards
corrupt practices in the cooperative sector. Profitable cooperative societies
that are more than 1000 in number have been advised to contribute more to
society. Recently a project for gifting 1000 LP & UP schools in the state
with Smart Classrooms have been taken by these societies. They are also
contributing to tourism initiatives like beach beautifications.
How far has your
plans in the Devasom Ministry been fruitful?
There are 5 Devasom Boards in Kerala, and most of them are
doing rampant corruption. There are numerous complaints against them. For the
past one year, we have started a big war against this corruption. A new Devasom
Recruitment Board has been set up, just like PSC. I would say some progress has
been made, and more will follow.
What is your prime
objective for the tourism ministry for the full term of this government?
The number one aim is that tourism should generate at least
5 lakh new job opportunities. Tourism development should benefit Keralites, not
the visitors. Especially, our poor people who are the inhabitants of these
destinations should benefit economically. We have given greater focus to the
upliftment of families providing supplies and services to hotels and resorts,
and as a result their incomes are improving.,
Don’t you think the
various controversies like the Senkumar affair and Jishnu Prannoy probe should
have been better handled?
I don’t agree with that view. We did everything possible.
Appointing a DGP is well understood to be a Government prerogative. We only did
that and when our move was questioned, two courts agreed with our stand. But
Supreme Court didn’t agree unfortunately, and we complied with the apex court
order and that is all to it. Regarding Jishnu Prannoy probe, we did everything
possible and even attracted the ire of the courts for being hyper-active in
pinning down the accused. But some media houses carried out an organized
campaign against us and that is behind all these noise. It is an organized
attempt to destabilize the LDF government. When people realize the truth, all
these will die down.
(Interview by John
Antony & Jaison D)
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