Eternal India Encyclopedia

Eternal India encyclopedia

A GREAT DESTINATION

Foreign Travel Tax For international travel from Indian air- ports Rs. 150/ must be paid for travel to neighbouring countries and Rs. 300/- for travel to all other countries. This tax is also applicable to infants who may not be occu- pying seats. Health Regulations Barring a yellow fever vaccination for tourists coming from infected areas (African and South American countries) there are no vaccination requirements for tourists to In- dia. Restricted and Protected Areas Military installations and areas, defence organisations and research organisations are considered protected areas, where per- mits are generally not given to foreigners. Photography Restrictions Photography is prohibited in places of military importance, railway stations, br- idges, airports and other military installa- tions. Exports of Antiquities Antiquities include sculpture, painting or other works of art and craftsmanship, illus- trative of science, art, crafts, religion of by- gone ages and of historical interest which have been in existence for not less than one hundred years. Also manuscripts, or other documents of scientific, historical, literary or aesthetic value in existence for not less than seventy five years - art-treasures -not necessarily antiquities but having regard to the artistic and aesthetic value cannot be exported out of India. For further clarification on the antiquity of artefact, the tourist can contact the fol- lowing authorities and get information on the Act and Rules governing Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972. New Delhi

6. Sri Lanka : Most westerners do not need a visa.

Calcutta

Superintending Archaeologist, Archaeological Sur-

vey of India, Calcutta Circle, 27 Biplabe Trailokya

Currency Regulations Tourists are not allowed to bring Indian currency into the country or take it out of the country. Unlimited amounts of foreign cur- rency or traveller's cheques are allowed into the country but any amount over US $1000 should be declared on arrival and a certifi- cate obtained from the Customs. All money should be changed at official banks or at official money changers. The tourist receives a currency exchange form for each transaction. These forms are im- portant as they may be required for re-ex- change while leaving India, for certain offi- cial purchases such as airline tickets, for visa renewal and for obtaining income tax clearance. Most branches of State Bank of India and all major nationalised banks have spe- cial foreign exchange counters. Credit cards (like Diners, American Express and Visa Card among others) are now widely ac- cepted in India. tions The usual duty-free regulations of one bottle of whisky, i.e. 950 ml or less and 200 cigarettes apply for India. If the tourist brings in more than $ 1000 in cash or in traveller's cheques, it must be declared by completion of a currency declaration form. . While small items like perfumes, cos- metics etc., are allowed into the country, larger items like video cameras are likely to be entered on a 'Tourist Baggages Re-ex- port' form to ensure that the article is taken away on departure. The TBRE form should be re-submitted on departure. A tourist can clear goods upto Rs. 2,400/ - in value duty free. Goods brought in ex- cess of this are chargeable to duty as per prevailing law. Income Tax Clearance If a person not domiciled in India intends to stay in the country for more than 120 days, an 'Income Tax Clearence' certificate is required in order to leave the country. This document will prove that the person's stay in India was financed by his own money and not by working or selling his goods. The foreign section of the Income Tax Department at Delhi, Calcutta, Madras and Bombay issues these certificates on being shown the person's passport, visa exten- sion form and the currency exchange re- ceipts which have been used by the person. Customs Formalities and Regula-

Maharaj Sarani, Narayani Building, Calcutta - 700

001 (Tel: 261933, Telex : 021-5340 ASCC IN)

Bangalore

Superintending Archaeologist, Archaelogical Survey

of India, Bangalore Circle, No. 364,16th Main, 4th T.

Block, Jayanagar, Bangalore - 560 041. (Tel: 645 901,

Telex: 0845-8845

Bhubaneswar

Superintending

Archaeologist,

Archaeological

Sur-

vey of India, Bhubaneswar Circle, Old Town, Bhu-

baneswar-751 002. (Tel: 56575 Telex: 0675-393

ODRA IN) Srinagar Superintending

Archaeologist,

Archaeological

Sur-

vey of India, Srinagar circle, Mintoo Building, Raj

Bagh, Srinagar (Tel: 32758 Telex: 0375-349 ASOI

IN)

Restrictions pertaining to export of articles made from animals etc.

The Government of India is concerned about the conservation of its endangered and rare fauna. With this view, export of all wild animals indigenous to the country and articles made from such listed animals like skin, pelts, furs, ivory, rhino horns, trophies etc., have been totally banned. Tourists are also advised to acquaint themselves with the provisions of Conven- tion on International Trade of endangered species of wild fauna and flora. All the member-countries of the convention allow import of the articles covered by convention on the strength of a certificate of export from the country of origin. For further information, the tourists can contact the following authorities:

New Delhi

Regional Deputy Director (NR), Ministry of Environ-

ment & Forest, Wildlife Preservation, Bikaner House,

Barrack No. 5, Shahjahan Road, New Delhi - 1 1 0 001,

Tel: 384556 Bombay

Regional Deputy Director, Wildlife Preservation,

Director-General,

Archaeological

Survey

of

India,

Western Region, 11, Air Cargo Complex, Sahar,

Janpath, New Delhi-110 011. (Tel: 3019451, 3018848

Bombay - 400 099, Tel: 632 8529

Telex: 031-66242 ASI-IN)

Calcutta

Bombay

Regional

Deputy

Director,

Wildlife

Preservation,

Superintending

Archaeologist

Antiquities,

Archaeo-

Eastern Region, Nizam Place, 2nd MSO Building, 6th

logical Survey of India, Sion Fort, Sion Bombay - 400

Floor, 234/4, A. J.C. Bose Road, Calcutta - 700 020,

002 (Tel: 4071102)

Tel: 478689

Madras

Madras

Superintending

Archaeologist,

Archaeological

Sur-

Regional

Deputy

Director,

Wildlife

Preservation,

vey of India, Madras Circle , Fort St. George, Madras

Southern

Region,

C-5,

Brownstone

Apartments,

- 600 022 (Tel: 560396/7, Telex: 041-6837 ASSC IN)

Mahalingapuram, Madras, Tel: 8253977.