Lok Sabha Question No. 1176 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2020-02-10
Subject: Promotion of Tourism via Swadesh Darshan Scheme
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Jagdambika Pal

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1176 ANSWERED ON 10.02.2020

PROMOTION OF TOURISM via SWADESH DARSHAN SCHEME

## 1176. SHRI JAGDAMBIKA PAL:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a)
- (b)
- (c)
- the progress made with respect to Swadesh Darshan Scheme;
- the circuit-wise details thereof;
- the total expenditure till now;
- (d) whether the Government intends to take further measures to boost tourism in the country; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

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

- (a) to (c): Ministry of Tourism under the  Swadesh Darshan Scheme has  sanctioned  77  projects  for  Rs.6035.70  Crores  covering  30 States  and  Union  Territories  in  the  country.  The  details  of  the projects sanctioned circuit wise under the scheme is at annexure.
- (d) & (e): Ministry of Tourism has taken several steps for boost of tourism in the country which inter-alia includes the following:
-  Launched  the  Swadesh  Darshan  and  PRASHAD  Schemes  for development of tourism infrastructure in the country.
-  Identified  17  Iconic  Sites  in  the  country  for  development  by seeking convergence with other Central Ministries/Departments/State Governments/Urban Local Bodies
-  Launched the 'Adopt a Heritage- Apni Dharohar Apni Pehchan' Project for development and maintenance of tourist amenities at heritage sites/monuments and other tourist sites.
-  Development  and  promotion  of  'Niche  Tourism'  products  to attract  tourist  with  specific  interest  and  to  ensure  repeat visits for the unique products in which India has a comparative advantage.
-  Launched 24x7 toll free Multi-Lingual Tourist Helpline.
-  Promoting India as a holistic tourism destination including its various tourism sites and products through Incredible India 2.0 Campaign.
-  Providing  facility  of  e-Visa  for  5  sub-categories  i.e.  e-Tourist visa, e-Business visa, e-Medical visa, e-Medical Attendant visa and e-Conference visa for nationals of 170 countries.
-  E-Visa  has  been  further  liberalized  and  the  visa  fee  has been substantially reduced.
-  Revamp  of  Incredible  India  Website  having  information  on tourism  sites/destinations  in  different  States/Union  Territory Administrations.
-  Launched Incredible India Tourist Facilitator Programme on an online digital platform to provide basic, advanced and refresher courses for tourist facilitators.
-  New mountain peaks have been opened for Mountaineering/Trekking to give boost to adventure tourism in the country.
-  Lowering  of  GST  on  hotels  rooms  with  tariffs  of Rs.1,001 to Rs.7,500/night  to  12%  and  for Rs.7,501  &  above  to  18% to increase India's competitiveness as a tourism destination.

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ANNEXURE

STATEMENT  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a)  TO  (c)  OF  LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1176 ANSWERED ON 10.02.2020 REGARDING  PROMOTION  OF  TOURISM  VIA  SWADESH  DARSHAN SCHEME.

THE  DETAILS  OF  PROJECTS  SANCTIONED  CIRCUIT  WISE  UNDER SWADESH DARSHAN SCHEME:

(Rs.in crore)

| Sr. No.   | Name of the Theme   |   No. of projects |   Amt. Sanctioned |   Amt. Released |
|-----------|---------------------|-------------------|-------------------|-----------------|
| 1         | North-East Circuit  |                10 |            856.11 |          568.43 |
| 2         | Buddhist Circuit    |                05 |            355.26 |          222    |
| 3         | Himalayan Circuit   |                07 |            639.35 |          407.57 |
| 4         | Coastal Circuit     |                10 |            767.31 |          494.14 |
| 5         | Krishna Circuit     |                02 |            188.8  |          123.6  |
| 6         | Desert Circuit      |                01 |             63.96 |           51.17 |
| 7         | Tribal Circuit      |                04 |            379.91 |          302.28 |
| 8         | Eco Circuit         |                06 |            490.5  |          328.07 |
| 9         | Wildlife Circuit    |                02 |            187.89 |          150.32 |
| 10        | Rural Circuit       |                02 |            125.02 |           21.24 |
| 11        | Spiritual Circuit   |                14 |            862.98 |          405.07 |
| 12        | Ramayana Circuit    |                02 |            202.76 |          154.77 |
| 13        | Heritage Circuit    |                10 |            845.53 |          484.27 |
| 14        | Tirthankar Circuit  |                01 |             52.39 |           26.19 |
| 15        | Sufi Circuit        |                 0 |              0    |            0    |
|           | Wayside             |                01 |             17.93 |            5.38 |
|           | TOTAL               |                77 |           6035.7  |         3744.5  |

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