Jharkhand Assembly Passes Tourism Promotion Bill, Major Boost for Visitors

Tourists visiting Jharkhand are set for a better travel experience as the state assembly on Wednesday passed the Jharkhand Tourism Development and Registration (Amendment) Bill 2025. The bill aims to significantly upgrade facilities at major tourist destinations that fall outside the jurisdiction of Urban Local Bodies (ULBs).

State Tourism Minister Sudivya Kumar tabled the amendment bill during the second half of the assembly session, and it was passed through voice vote. The proposal includes the creation of a Jharkhand Tourism Area Authority (JTAA) to oversee and improve amenities at key sites.

Dedicated Authority for Tourism Sites

Defending the bill, Minister Kumar said the Deputy Commissioner (DC) of the respective district would serve as the chairperson of the new authority. The JTAA will be responsible for:

• Ensuring cleanliness
• Strengthening security
• Managing parking facilities
• Preventing encroachment

The authority will also have the power to levy fees and taxes— including charges on vehicles entering tourism zones. The revenue collected will be used strictly for the development and management of these sites.

Opposition Seeks Review by Committee

BJP legislators Raj Sinha and Naveen Jaiswal demanded that the bill be referred to a selection committee, arguing that the structure excludes local MLAs. They insisted that elected representatives must have a role in the authority.

Responding to the criticism, Minister Kumar clarified that important members could be nominated by the department and assured the house that the government was committed to ensuring the authority functions smoothly and effectively.

Initial Rollout at Major Tourist Spots

Officials informed the assembly that the JTAA will initially be established at Patratu, Netarhat, Rajrappa, and Madhuban, all classified as Grade-A tourism locations.

In a parallel development, the assembly also scrapped four private university bills that had been passed earlier but failed to materialize on ground. As higher and technical education minister, Kumar moved the proposal to withdraw these bills, citing the revised norms introduced under the Jharkhand Private University Act 2024.

Opposition Flags Jharkhand Bhawan Circular

Leader of Opposition Babulal Marandi criticized a government circular allegedly restricting accommodation in Jharkhand Bhawan and Urja Bhawan, Delhi only to family members of MLAs. He argued that elected representatives often need to arrange accommodation for visitors from their constituencies and urged the government to revoke the order.

In response, Minister Radhakrishna Kishore said the matter would be reviewed and an appropriate decision taken.