A Akhter /New Delhi
India’s minister for Tourism Alphonse Kannanthanam today put to rest all the controversy regarding to the alleged plan by Uttar Pradesh government’s to exclude Taj Mahal from its tourism plan, saying “Taj Mahal is the core of country’s tourism Industry.”
He said that UP Tourism Minister has clarified the whole issue. Mr Kannanthanam was adressing media on the tourism ministry’s new initiative Paryatan Parv. “Taj Mahal is the core of country’s tourism Industry,” Mr Kannanthanam said.
Earlier, UP Tourism Minister Rita Bahuguna Joshi had stated Taj Mahal is India’s cultural heritage and asked to end the controversy. Union Minister has said since Ms Joshi has clarified the issue he does not want to comment on it. Quoting Ms Joshi, Mr Kannanthanam said the booklet brought out by UP govt’s tourism department mentions the tourist spots that will be developed in the coming years. Though Taj Mahal occupies place among the developed spots, it cannot be said that the monument is not the govt priority even if it is not included in the booklet.