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Business Standard
7 days ago
- Entertainment
- Business Standard
Rajasthan govt to soon bring out a policy to boost film production
Rajasthan is planning to come out with a policy soon in a bid to boost film and television production in the state. Diya Kumari, the state's deputy chief minister who also holds the tourism portfolio, has directed officials to finalise the policy, alongside working on plans to boost adventure tourism in the state. This will be the second attempt at such a policy — according to a tourism department official, the first dedicated policy for film tourism had been issued in 2022 to attract film shootings and production. The new policy will include ways of easing the processes involved in obtaining approvals for shooting and disbursement of subsidies. The state has consistently attracted filmmakers from around the world due to its scenic locales like forts, palaces and sand dunes. 'Classics like Mughal-e-Azam (1960) and Guide (1965) were shot in the state. Endless scenes of dunes, drying chillies and village locations are commonplace for films with a rural setting. Even some of the blockbuster television serials and advertisements have Rajasthan as their backdrop,' a tourism department official said. He added that Hollywood has also utilised Rajasthan's locations, with films like Octopussy (1983) and Holy Smoke (1999). Globally renowned director Satyajit Ray also shot a large portion of Sonar Kella (1971) in the state. The tourism department is also planning to map the potential of adventure tourism activities (water-based, air-based, and land-based), in consultation with concerned departments and prepare a dedicated policy to provide a framework to entrepreneurs to set up relevant projects in the state. According to an initial plan, the department will work closely with the forest department, the Rajasthan State Forest Development Corporation, local bodies, and the irrigation department for the development of adventure tourism activities. Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC) will be the implementing agency for these activities.
Time of India
16-05-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Despite profits, RTDC hotels pushed towards privatisation
1 2 3 4 Jaipur: Despite making a profit of Rs 7 crore in 2024-25, RTDC hotels are considered loss-making to justify a move to lease them out to private players and not allocate resources to strengthen the corporation, which has over 400 employees on its payroll. A financial statement from RTDC mentioned that Rs 7.80 crore was paid as interest on loans and penalties for defaults against the corporation. The loans were taken in the name of RTDC, but the money was spent on tourism development and promotion activities, which were outside the ambit of the corporation. Out of the 31 units of RTDC, which include mostly hotels, along with cafeteria and tourist transportation services, 14 units made a profit in 2024-25. Some of the loss-making units have reduced losses to negligible levels and are likely to make profits with a little push. The 31 units made a total profit of Rs 6.88 crore during the financial year 2024-25, repudiating the narrative that these units are a drag on the state's exchequer. It also reveals that loss-making units can be turned profitable if support is provided. Currently, there are 37 hotels of the corporation identified to be leased out. However, the process has been dragging on as RTDC does not have land titles for most of the hotels, without which they cannot be leased out. The corporation has become an easy destination for "accommodating" people even if their roles are not required by the corporation. Such decisions have caused a financial drain on RTDC. These hotels have been a relatively cheaper source of accommodation in many tourist places in the state, while also meeting the requirements of govt departments. Many govt officials travelling to various districts can use the RTDC facilities and avoid expensive private hotels. This can save money for the govt while helping the corporation improve its profitability.
