The state tourism department of West Bengal has been praised for its initiative to provide government-owned hotels and lodges at half price to cancer patients.

At the initiative of Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, the State Tourism Department has been providing rooms at hotels and lodges owned by the Department at half the price to cancer patients. They only have to furnish a few documents regarding the treatment he or she is undergoing. The Tourism Department controls almost 40 hotels and lodges across Bengal. The Department also provides a discount of 20 per cent for the elderly.

It may be mentioned that when Ms Banerjee was the Rail Minister, she had launched the facility of rebates in rail fare for cancer patients travelling for treatment. She had been applauded from all quarters at that time for such an initiative. Bengal is the only State in India to offer such special prices at tourist lodges for cancer patients.