Lok Sabha Question No. 20 (STARRED), answered on 2023-12-04
Subject: Schemes to Promote Rural Tourism in Rajasthan
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Sumedhanand Saraswati

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.†*20 ANSWERED ON 04.12.2023

## SCHEMES TO PROMOTE RURAL TOURISM IN RAJASTHAN

## †*20. SHRI SUMEDHANAND SARASWATI:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether rural tourism is essential for the economy of the country; (b) whether  there  is  a  strong  potential  for  rural  tourism  market  in Rajasthan in the country; (c) if  so,  whether  the  Government  is  formulating  any  scheme  for bringing improvement in various sectors in order to promote rural tourism; and if so, the details thereof and the positive outcome achieved in this

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

- (a) to (d): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

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- (d) regard?

STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.†*20 ANSWERED ON 04.12.2023 REGARDING SCHEMES TO PROMOTE RURAL TOURISM IN RAJASTHAN BY SHRI SUMEDHANAND SARASWATI

- (a): Yes,  the  rural  tourism  is  contributing  to  the  economy  of  the country.
- (b): Yes,  there  is  a  strong  potential  for  rural  tourism  market  in Rajasthan  keeping  in  view  its  heritage,  traditions,  vibrant  and  varied culture, craft religious practices, fairs and festivals.
- (c) & (d): Recognizing the potential of rural tourism in the country, the Ministry  of  Tourism  has  formulated  a  'National  Strategy  and  Roadmap for  Development  of  rural  tourism  in  India  -  An  initiative  towards Atmanirbhar Bharat'.  The strategy document focusses on the following key pillars:-
- (i)
- Model Policies and Best Practices for Rural Tourism
- (ii)
- (iii)
- (iv)
- (v)
- (vi)
- Digital Technologies and Platforms for Rural Tourism
- Developing Clusters for Rural Tourism
- Marketing Support for Rural Tourism
- Capacity Building of Stakeholders
- Governance and Institutional Framework
2. In  addition  to  above,  the  State  Government  of  Rajasthan  has informed  that  they  have  launched  Rajasthan  Rural  Tourism  Scheme, 2022 in November 2022 for establishment of different types of tourism units on rural agriculture and residential/Abadi land.  Key features of the Scheme are as under: -
- (i) Rural  tourism  units  include  -  Agro  Tourism  Units,  Carvan Park, Camping sites on agriculture land and Guest House on
- Residential/Abadi land.
- (ii) Rural Tourism units can be set up on agriculture land without any change in land use.
- (iii) 10%  ground  coverage  and  G+1  structure  permissible  under the scheme  for units on agriculture and other related activities.
- (iv) Admissible benefits: Exemption in Stamp Duty, 100% reimbursement  of  SGST  for  10  years  and  subsidized  loans (upto 9% interest subsidy).
- (v) So  far  56  rural  tourism  units  have  been  established  in different districts of the State.
3. Ministry  of  Tourism  has  also  sanctioned  the  following  project  in the State of Rajasthan under its PRASHAD Scheme:-

(Rs. In crore)

| Name of the Project                      | Year of sanction   |   Approved cost |   Amount released | Physical Progress   |
|------------------------------------------|--------------------|-----------------|-------------------|---------------------|
| Integrated Development of Pushkar/ Ajmer | 2015-16            |           32.64 |             26.11 | 92%                 |

Apart from above, Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned Central Financial Assistance  amounting  to  Rs.40.00  lakh  for  celebration  of  Fair  and Festival and events in the State of Rajasthan in 2014-15.

Ministry of Tourism also identified Rural Circuit as one of the thematic circuits under its Swadesh Darshan Scheme.  No project was sanctioned to  the  State  Government  of  Rajasthan  under  Rural  Circuit  of  the Scheme. However, the Ministry has sanctioned four projects under other circuits  to  the  State  Government  of  Rajasthan.    The  details  of  these projects are given at Annexure.

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ANNEXURE

STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (c) & (d) OF LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO.†*20 ANSWERED ON 04.12.2023 REGARDING SCHEMES TO PROMOTE RURAL TOURISM IN RAJASTHAN BY SHRI SUMEDHANAND SARASWATI

Details  of  Projects  sanctioned  to  the  State  Government  of  Rajasthan under Swadesh Darshan Scheme

(Rs. In Crore)

|   S. No. | Circuit and Year of Sanction   | Project                                                                                                                                                                      |   Amount sanctio ned |   Amount release d |   Amount utilized | Status   | Implementing Agency                              |
|----------|--------------------------------|------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|----------------------|--------------------|-------------------|----------|--------------------------------------------------|
|        1 | Desert Circuit 2015-16         | Development of Sambhar Lake Town and Other Destinations                                                                                                                      |                50.01 |              50.01 |             55.89 | Complete | Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC) |
|        2 | Krishna Circuit 2016-17        | Development of Govind Dev ji temple (Jaipur), Khatu Shyam Ji (Sikar) and Nathdwara (Rajsamand)                                                                               |                75.8  |              72.01 |             77.49 | Complete | Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC) |
|        3 | Spiritual Circuit 2016-17      | Development of Spiritual Circuit- 'Development of Churu (Salasar Balaji)-Jaipur (Shri Samodke Balaji, Ghatke Balaji, Bandheke Balaji)- Viratnagar (Bijak, Jainnasiya, Ambika |                87.05 |              72.23 |             75.03 | Complete | Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC) |

|    |                          | Temple)- Bharatpur (Kaman Region)- Dholpur (Muchkund) - Mehndipur Balaji- Chittorgarh (Sanwaliyaji)                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                              |       |       |       |          |                                                  |
|----|--------------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------|-------|-------|----------|--------------------------------------------------|
|  4 | Heritage Circuit 2017-18 | 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 | 70.61 | 66.99 | 67.04 | Complete | Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation (RTDC) |

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