Rs. 84495.62 Lakh Funds to States/UTs for Developing Tourism Destinations and Circuits in 2014-15

Rs 84495.62 Lakh funds have been sanctioned to States/UTs for developing tourism destinations and circuits during 2014-15, which includes Projects relating to Product/Infrastructure Development for Destinations and Circuits (PIDDC), Human Resource Development (HRD), Fairs and Festivals & Rural Tourism.

The Ministry of Tourism (MOT) provides Central Financial Assistance (CFA) to State Governments/Union Territory Administrations for various tourism projects subject to availability of funds, inter-se priority, liquidation of pending utilization certificates against the funds released earlier and adherence to the relevant scheme guidelines.

The Ministry of Tourism has launched the following two new schemes pursuant to the Budget 2014-15 announcements.

1. Swadesh Darshan for Integrated Development of Tourist Circuits around Specific Themes.

2. National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive (PRASAD) to beautify and improve the amenities and infrastructure at pilgrimage centres of all faiths.

Twelve theme based circuits i.e. North East Circuit, Buddhist Circuit, Himalayan Circuit, Coastal Circuit, Krishna Circuit, Desert Circuit, Tribal Circuit, Eco Circuit, Wildlife Circuit, Rural Circuit, Spiritual Circuit and Ramayana Circuit have been identified for development under 'Swadesh Darshan'.

Under PRASAD, initially twelve cities have been identified namely Ajmer, Amritsar, Amravati, Dwarka, Gaya, Kedarnath, Kamakhaya, Kanchipuram, Mathura, Puri, Varanasi and Velankanni.

The revised budget allocation for these schemes in the financial year 2014-15 were Rs.20.00 crore and Rs.15.60 crore respectively. In the current financial year, the budget provision for these schemes is Rs.600.00 crore for Swadesh Darshan and Rs. 100.00 crore for PRASAD. These are Central Sector Schemes, hence State/Union Territory-wise allocations have not been made.

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