In a bid to give a boost to the country’s Covid-ravaged tourism industry by attracting international travelers, India has decided to issue the first 500,000 tourist visas free of charge whenever the issuance of such visas were resumed, a senior minister said on Monday.

"Once tourist visa issuance is resumed, the first five lakh (500,000) tourist visas will be issued totally free of charge," said Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

The minister said the offer would be available till March 31 next year, or till the first 500,000 tourist visas were issued.

"This will apply till 31 March 2022 or till the first five lakh tourist visas get covered, whichever is earlier," she said,

"One tourist can avail the benefit only once," Sitharaman said.

The minister announced a Rs. 110,000 crore (USD 15 million) loan guarantee scheme for COVID-19 affected sectors in a bid to tackle the ongoing crisis emerging in the country due to the pandemic.

There will be a Rs. 50,000 crores (USD 6.7 million) - half of that amount -  coverage for the health sector, aimed at upscaling medical infrastructure targeting underserved areas." Sitharaman said at a press conference in New Delhi. 

The remaining amount will be allocated to other sectors.

(SAM)