Lok Sabha Question No. 263 (STARRED), answered on 2018-08-06
Subject: Promotion of Tourism
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: A.T. (NANA) PATIL, SUNIL KUMAR SINGH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.†*263 ANSWERED ON 06.08.2018

## PROMOTION OF TOURISM

†*263. SHRI A.T. NANA PATIL: SHRI SUNIL KUMAR SINGH:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

(a) whether the Government has released any financial assistance to  the  States  of  Maharashtra  and  Jharkhand  for  organizing Mahotsavas during the last three years and the current year so far; and (b) if so, the details thereof, Mahotsava and year-wise along with the  steps  taken  by  the  Government  to  promote  tourism  in Maharashtra and Jharkhand?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SHRI K.J. ALPHONS)

(a) and (b): A Statement is laid on the table of the House.

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STATEMENT  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  AND  (b)  OF  LOK  SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.†*263 ANSWERED ON 06.08.2018 REGARDING PROMOTION OF TOURISM.

(a) and (b): Development and promotion of tourism is primarily the  responsibility  of  the  State  Governments/Union  Territory  (UT) Administrations.  However,  Ministry  of  Tourism  provides  Central Financial Assistance (CFA) to State Governments/UT Administrations including the States of Maharashtra and Jharkhand for  organising  Fairs,  Festivals  and  Tourism  Related  Events  for  the promotion  of  tourism  subject  to  submission  of  proposals,  their adherence to existing scheme guidelines, availability of funds and submission of utilisation certificates for the funds released earlier.

The details of funds sanctioned for organising Fairs, Festivals and  Tourism  Related  Events  to  the  States  of  Maharashtra  and Jharkhand during the years 2015-16 to 2018-19 (till July 31 st , 2018) are as below:

(Rs. in lakh)

|   S. No. | Name of State   | Year                                                                                                      | Name of Fairs/Festivals/Tourism Related Events                                                            | Amount Sanctioned                                                                                         |
|----------|-----------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|
|        1 | Jharkhand       | 2017-18                                                                                                   | CFA for Celebration of Itkhori Mahotsav (February 19 th - 21 st , 2018) in the State of Jharkhand         | 25.00                                                                                                     |
|        2 | Maharashtra     | No funds were sanctioned during the years 2015- 16 to 2018-19 as no proposal was received from the State. | No funds were sanctioned during the years 2015- 16 to 2018-19 as no proposal was received from the State. | No funds were sanctioned during the years 2015- 16 to 2018-19 as no proposal was received from the State. |

Some of the steps taken by the Ministry of Tourism to promote tourism  in  the  country  including  in  the  States  of  Maharashtra  and Jharkhand are as follows:

-  Provision  of eVisa  facility for the  citizens  of  165 countries at 25 airports and 5 seaports.
-  Launch of Incredible India 2.0 campaign marking a shift from generic promotions to market specific promotional plans.
-  Launch of New Incredible India Website.
-  Production of publicity and promotion material.
-  Launch of 24x7 toll free Multi-Lingual Tourist Helpline.
-  Launch of media campaigns in the online, print, electronic and outdoor media.
-  Development and promotion of Niche Tourism products.
-  Organisation  of  events  like  Paryatan  Parv,  International Buddhist  Conclave  and  International  Tourism  Mart  for promotion of tourism in the country.
-  Promotion  of India as a holistic destination in the international  markets  under  the  Incredible  India  brand line.
-  Promotion  of  activities  in  tourist  generating  markets overseas through the India Tourism Offices abroad with active participation in International Tourism Events.
-  Financial assistance to Stakeholders and Tourism Departments  of  States/UTs  for  undertaking  promotional activities  under  the  Market  Development  Assistance (MDA) Scheme.
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