Lok Sabha Question No. 4271 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2023-03-27
Subject: Financial Assistance to Himachal Pradesh after Pandemic
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Pratibha Singh

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA

## MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.4271 ANSWERED ON 27.03.2023

## FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE TO HIMACHAL PRADESH AFTER PANDEMIC

## 4271. SHRIMATI PRATIBHA SINGH:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether  the  Government  has  provided  adequate  financial assistance  to  the  State  Government  of  Himachal  Pradesh  in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic to boost the tourism sector and tourism infrastructure in Himachal Pradesh;
- (b) if  so,  the  details  of  the  funds  allocated thereof, scheme-wise and the initiatives taken to promote the tourism sector in the State;
- (c) the details of the projects sanctioned in consultation with the State Government during the last three years; and
- (d) the details of the employment opportunities created in Himachal Pradesh during the last three years?

## ANSWER

(SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM

(a) to (c): The  Ministry  of  Tourism  continues  to  provide  financial assistance post COVID-19 to the State Governments/UTs including the  State  Government  of  Himachal  Pradesh  under  its  ongoing schemes.

Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned a project 'Development of Himalayan Circuit: Kiarighat, Shimla, Hatkoti, Manali, Kangra, Dharamshala, Bir, Palampur, Chamba' in the year 2016-17 for a cost of Rs.68.34 Crore out of which Rs.64.55 Crore has been released.

Financial  assistance  has  also  been  provided  to  the  State Government  of  Himachal  Pradesh  for  organizing  fairs/festivals  &

tourism  related  events  under  Domestic  Promotion  &  Publicity including Hospitality (DPPH) Scheme as per details given below:

- International  Kullu  Dussehra  Festival  (FY  2017-18)-  Rs.25.00 Lakh
- International Shivratri Festival (FY 2018-19) -Rs.25.00 Lakh
- International Kullu Dussehra Festival  (FY 2019-20) -Rs.25.00 Lakh
- Shivratri Festival (FY 2019-20) -Rs.25.00 Lakh
- International Shivratri Festival (FY 2021-22) -Rs.25.00 Lakh
- International Shivratri Festival (FY 2022-23) -Rs.25.00 Lakh
- International Kullu Dussehra Festival (FY 2022-23) -Rs.25.00 Lakh

In addition, the Ministry of Tourism promotes India in a holistic manner, including the tourism destinations in the State of Himachal Pradesh. Ministry of Tourism releases media campaigns in important  and  potential  markets  overseas  and  within  the  country under the 'Incredible India' brand line, to promote various tourism destinations and products of the country. The tourism destinations in Himachal Pradesh are also promoted through the official website of  the  Ministry  - www.incredibleindia.org  as  well  as  through  the Social Media handles of the Ministry.

(d): No formal study has been conducted for State-wise employment opportunities created in last three years. However, as per  estimation  in  accordance  with  3 rd   Tourism  Satellite  Account (TSA),  the  contribution  of  tourism  in  total  employment  of  the country for year 2017-18, 2018-19, 2019-20 and 2020-21 are:

|                                                    |   2017-18 |   2018-19 |   2019-20 |   2020-21 |
|----------------------------------------------------|-----------|-----------|-----------|-----------|
| Share in jobs (in %)                               |     14.78 |     14.87 |     13.5  |     12.91 |
| Direct (%)                                         |      6.44 |      6.48 |      5.89 |      5.63 |
| Indirect (%)                                       |      8.33 |      8.38 |      7.61 |      7.28 |
| Direct + Indirect jobs due to tourism (in million) |     72.69 |     75.85 |     69.44 |     68.07 |

Source: The  above  estimates  have  been  updated  using  3rd  TSA  & National Account Statistics 2022.

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