Centre working to address biometrics issue for Kerala tourists

New Delhi, Sep 2 (PTI) After Kerala expressed apprehensionthat making biometrics compulsory for Saudi Arabian touristswould hit the state’s tourism industry, Union Tourism MinisterMahesh Sharma today said his ministry is taking up the issuewith Home Affairs and External Affairs Ministries. He also assured Kerala Tourism Minister A C Moideen, whohad come here to meet Sharma, that Centre will work with stategovernment to "address the hurdles" that come in the way oftourism. "I understand the importance of Kerala as a touristdestination of choice of people which is now increasing day byday. But there were certain issues which are pending…One ofthe issue was relaxation on the condition of biometric by theinternational guests who come over here. We are taking up thisissue with the Home and External Affairs Ministries…including custom department," Sharma said. In July, Moideen had said that he had written to theCentre to exempt Saudi Arabia from compulsory biometric visasand urged the government to include it in the list ofcountries availing e-visas facility. He had said that around 5 lakh Saudi holidayers visitthe state every year and the Centre’s recent decision makingbiometric data compulsory for them would adversely impact thestate’s tourism prospects. He had said that the Centre had made biometric datacompulsory at a time when the state is eyeing more touristsfrom Saudi Arabia. There were chances that the Saudi tourists may opt forother countries, including neighbouring Sri Lanka, in view ofthe complexities in applying for biometric visas, he had said. Many tourists from Saudi Arabia have reportedly cancelledtheir tours to Kerala, following the new biometricverification norms introduced by the Indian Embassy in Riyadhfor obtaining visas. As per the new norms, a Saudi national visiting Indianeeds to go to the embassy in Riyadh and submit himself tobiometric and fingerprint scanning to get the visa. Meanwhile, Sharma said Sabarimala and Guruvayur temples inKerala have been included under the Centre’s PilgrimageRejuvenation and Spirituality Augmentation Drive (PRASAD)scheme and Rs 100 crore has been sanctioned for upgrading ofSabarimala. "We have included Sabarimala and Guruvayur in PRASADscheme… Kerala’s issues need to be addressed in a big waybecause the state has a big tourism potential and we asministry will join hand with state government to ensure thatwhatever hurdles come in the way will be addressed," he said.PTI MPKUN