However, tourism minister Ananth Kumar managed to push the figure up by Rs 5 crore, after meeting the Planning Commission Deputy Chairman KC Pant on Friday.

Sources added that in the forthcoming Budget, for the first time a separate paragraph would be dedicated to the tourism industry. "This fact should make the industry players happy, as they would be finally given some of the recognition that they had been seeking," an official said.

Speaking to The Financial Express prior to the meeting with the Planning Commission, Mr Kumar said that he had discussed the issue of multiple taxation presently applicable on the industry with the finance minister.

"The industry has to pay a number of taxes including expenditure tax, leisure tax, revenue tax and sales tax and is therefore seeking rationalisation in the tax structure to lessen their burden."

The tourism ministry was also looking forward to the sanctioning of several new schemes designed by it to promote tourism.

Commenting on the long pending tourism policy, the minister said that the policy was ready and would be soon placed before the Cabinet for approval.

"I cannot tell you exactly when it will be announced, but this will happen very soon."