Lok Sabha Question No. 184 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-02-03
Subject: Implementation of SASCI Scheme with Special Reference to Pali Region
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Shri P P Chaudhary

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA

## UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.184

## ANSWERED ON 03.02.2025

## IMPLEMENTATION OF SASCI SCHEME WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO PALI REGION

## 184.  SHRI P P CHAUDHARY:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) the  specific  criteria  used  for  selection  of  projects  under  Special Assistance  to  States  for  Capital  Expenditure/Investment  (SASCI) scheme,  particularly  for  heritage  and  religious  tourism  sites  along with the proposals if any, considered from Pali district thereof;
- (b) the  strategies  being  implemented  for  development  of  lesser-known destinations including plans for promoting religious tourism circuits connecting  Ranakpur  Jain  Temple  and  other  heritage  sites  in  Pali region;
- (c) whether  any  assessment  has  been  conducted  regarding  tourism potential of lesser-known destinations in Pali district, particularly the ancient  temples  and  traditional  craft  centres  and  if  so,  the  details thereof; and
- (d) whether  any  specific  international  promotion  initiatives  have  been planned  to  showcase  religious  and  cultural  heritage  of  Pali  region along with major tourist circuits of Rajasthan and if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM            (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) to (d):   The Ministry of Tourism  issued  operational guidelines for 'Special  Assistance  to  States  for  Capital  Investment  Development  of Iconic  Tourist  Centres  to  Global  Scale' (SASCI)  with  the  objective  to comprehensively  develop  iconic  tourist  centres  in  the  country,  branding and marketing them at global scale.

Salient  features  of  this  endeavour  include  developing  end  to  end  tourist experience, funding support to the shortlisted proposals, strengthening all points of  the  tourist  value  chain,  harnessing  quality  expertise  for  design and  development,  sustainable  operations  and  maintenance  etc.  The projects have been identified  based on the project proposals submitted by the  concerned  State  Governments,  its  examination  on  the  prescribed parameters such as connectivity to the site, tourism eco-system, carrying capacity, sustainability measures, sustainable operation and management, project  impact  and  value  created,  tourism  marketing  plans  etc.  The project  will  be  implemented  and  managed  by  the  concerned  State Governments.

A total number of 40 tourism related projects have been sanctioned in this scheme  by  Government  of  India  across  23  States  of  the  country  for  an amount of ₹ 3295.76 Crore including 2 projects in the State of Rajasthan during the financial year 2024-25 as per the details given below:-

|   S. No. | Interventions Name                                          |   Cost i n ₹ crore) |
|----------|-------------------------------------------------------------|---------------------|
|        1 | Development at Amber-Nahargarh and surrounding Area, Jaipur |               49.31 |
|        2 | Development at Jal Mahal, Jaipur                            |               96.61 |

The State Government of Rajasthan did not submit any project proposal related to Pali Region under SASCI Scheme.

The  Ministry  of  Tourism  has  not  undertaken  any  assessment  regarding tourism  potential  of  lesser-known  destinations  in  Pali  district.  However, the Ministry under its Swadesh Darshan and 'Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual,  Heritage  Augmentation  Drive  (PRASHAD)'  complements  the efforts of tourism infrastructure development of the State Governments/UT Administrations by extending financial assistance to them in synergy with the scheme guidelines, availability of funds etc. The detail of the projects sanctioned under the Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD scheme in the State of Rajasthan is annexed.

The  Ministry  under  Swadesh  Darshan  2.0,  the  revamped  destination centric version of Swadesh Darshan scheme, has sanctioned the project 'Spiritual Experience, Keshovraipatan' for ₹17.37 Crore in Bundi, Rajasthan.

Ministry  of  Tourism  promotes  India  in  a  holistic  manner,  as  a  tourist destination including destinations of Rajasthan, in domestic and international  markets  through  its  various  promotional  initiatives  such  as website,  social  media  promotions,  participation  in  events,  assistance  to State Governments for organizing fairs and festivals etc.

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## ANNEXURE

STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.184 ANSWERD ON 03.02.2025 REGARDING IMPLEMENTATION OF SASCI SCHEME WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO PALI REGION BY SHRI P P CHAUDHARY

Details of the Projects sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD Scheme in the State of Rajasthan

(Amount in ₹Crore)

| S. No.          | Name of the Project                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                             | Circuit/ Sanction Year     | Sanctioned Amount   |
|-----------------|-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------------|---------------------|
| Swadesh Darshan | Swadesh Darshan                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 |                            |                     |
| 1.              | Development of Sambhar Lake Town and Other Destinations                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         | Desert Circuit/ 2015-16    | 50.01               |
| 2.              | Development of Govind Dev ji temple (Jaipur), Khatu Shyam Ji (Sikar) and Nathdwara (Rajsamand)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  | Krishna Circuit/ 2016-17   | 75.80               |
| 3.              | Development of Spiritual Circuit - 'Development of Churu (Salasar Balaji)- Jaipur (Shri Samodke Balaji, Ghatke Balaji, Bandheke Balaji)- Viratnagar (Bijak, Jainnasiya, Ambika Temple)- Bharatpur (Kaman Region)- Dholpur (Muchkund) - Mehndipur Balaji- Chittorgarh (Sanwaliyaji)                                                                                                              | Spiritual Circuit/ 2016-17 | 87.05               |
| 4.              | Development of Heritage Circuit Development of Rajsamand (Kumbhalgarh Fort) - Jaipur (Facade Illumination in Jaipur and Nahargarh Fort) -Jhalawar (Gagron Fort) - Chittorgarh (Chittorgarh Fort) - Jaisalmer (Jaisalmer Fort) - Hanumangarh (Gogamedi) - Udaipur (Pratap Gaurav Kendra) - Dholpur (Bagh-I-Nilofor and Purani Chawani) - Nagaur (Meera Bai Smarak, Merta) - Tonk (Sunehri Kothi) | Heritage Circuit 2017-18   | 70.61               |
| PRASHAD         | PRASHAD                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |                            |                     |
| 1.              | Integrated Development of Pushkar/Ajmer                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         | 2015-16                    | 32.64               |

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