Lok Sabha Question No. 1240 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-10
Subject: Funds to Kanaka Durga Temple
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Srinivas Kesineni

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1240 ANSWERED ON 10.02.2020

## FUNDS TO KANAKA DURGA TEMPLE

## 1240. SHRI KESINENI SRINIVAS:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the schemes for promotion of tourism in Andhra Pradesh;
- (b) whether there has been an increase in tourism after launch of such schemes and if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether  there  is  any  plan  to  disburse  funds  to  the  Kanaka Durga  Temple  under  the  PRASAD  scheme  in  order  to  attract more  pilgrims  and  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  if  not,  the reasons therefor; and
- (d) whether  the  Government  has  identified  any  other  places  in Andhra  Pradesh  which  can  be  developed  as  a  world  class tourist destination and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (SHRI PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL)

(a): Ministry of Tourism undertakes promotional activities in domestic and international markets through its schemes of 'Domestic  Promotion  &  Publicity  including  Hospitality  (DPPH)'  and Overseas  Promotion  &  Publicity  Including  Market  Development Assistance  (OPMD).  Under  these  schemes,  Ministry  of  Tourism promotes India as a holistic destination under the Incredible India brand -line . As  part  of  its  on -going  activities,  the  Ministry  releases print, electronic,  online  and  outdoor  media  campaigns  in  the international  and  domestic  markets,  to  promote  various  tourism destinations and products of the country . In addition, the Ministry of Tourism  under  its  schemes  of  Swadesh  Darshan,  PRASHAD  and Assistance to Central Agencies provides Central Financial

Assistance to State Governments/UT Administrations/Central Agencies  for  development  of  tourism  infrastructure  in  the  country including Andhra Pradesh.

## (b): The  details  of  Domestic  Tourist  Visits  (DTVs)  and  Foreign Tourist  Visits  (FTVs)  in  Andhra  Pradesh  for  last  3  years  are  given below:

| Year           | Domestic Tourist Visits (DTVs)   | Foreign Tourist Visits (FTVs)   |
|----------------|----------------------------------|---------------------------------|
| 2016           | 15,31,63,354                     | 3,41,764                        |
| 2017           | 16,54,33,898                     | 2,71,362                        |
| 2018 (Revised) | 19,47,67,874                     | 2,81,083                        |

(c): Development  of  Pilgrimage  Centres  is  the  responsibility  of respective State Governments/Union Territories.  However, Ministry of Tourism, under the scheme 'Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive' (PRASHAD) provides Central Financial Assistance for infrastructure development and beautification  of  Pilgrimage  Centres  on  receipt  of  suitable  DPRs submitted by State Governments/Union Territories, subject to availability  of  funds,  liquidation  of  pending  utilisation  certificate against  the  fund  released  earlier  and  adherence  to  the  relevant scheme guidelines. Identification of more destinations under these schemes is a continuous process, which is to be considered only on receipt  of  request  from  respective  State  Governments/UTs.  The Ministry  has  sanctioned  the  following  projects  in  Andhra  Pradesh under the PRASHAD Scheme:

(Rupees in Crore)

|   S. No. | Year of Sanction   | Name of Project                                                         |   Project Cost |
|----------|--------------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------|
|        1 | 2015-16            | Development of Amaravati Town, Guntur District as a Tourist Destination |          28.36 |
|        2 | 2017-18            | Development of Srisailam Temple in Andhra Pradesh under PRASHAD scheme  |          47.45 |

## (d):  Ministry  has  sanctioned  following  projects  in Andhra  Pradesh under the Swadesh Darsan scheme:

(Rupees in Crore)

|   S. No. | Circuit/ Year of Sanction   | Name of Projects               |   Project Cost |
|----------|-----------------------------|--------------------------------|----------------|
|        1 | Coastal Circuit             | Development of Kakinada - Hope |          67.84 |

|    | (2014-15)                  | Island - Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary - Passarlapudi - Aduru - SYanam - Kotipally.                                            |       |
|----|----------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------|
|  2 | Coastal Circuit (2015-16)  | Development of Nellore - Pulikat Lake - Ubblamadugu Water Falls - Nelapattu- Kothakoduru- Mypadu - Ramateertham - Iskapalli | 59.7  |
|  3 | Buddhist Circuit (2017-18) | Development of Shalihundam- Thotlakonda- Bavikonda- Bojjanakonda- Amravati- Anupu                                           | 52.34 |

********