Lok Sabha Question No. 210 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2024-11-25
Subject: Launching of Swadesh Darshan Scheme
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: Shri Vishaldada Prakashbapu Patil

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.210

## ANSWERED ON 25.11.2024

## LAUNCHING OF SWADESH DARSHAN SCHEME

## 210  SHRI VISHALDADA PRAKASHBAPU PATIL:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) the  reason  for  the  launch  of  Swadesh  Darshan  Scheme  despite objections from the Planning Commission and Ministry of Finance as per a CAG report;
- (b) the reason for continual sanction for projects exceeding Rs.4,000 crore by 2016-17 without obtaining Cabinet approval, necessary for projects costing above Rs.1,000 crore;
- (c) whether only 0.73% of the total scheme expenditure was allocated to the Rural circuit, despite it being one of the identified circuits, if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor;
- (d) the steps being taken to address delays in project completion, with none of the 76 sanctioned projects completed within the stipulated time frame; and
- (e) whether  no  meetings  of  the  Central  Sanctioning  and  Monitoring Committee and the Mission Directorate were held after November 2018  and  October  2019  respectively  and  the  manner  in  which  it affected  scheme implementation,  if  so,  the  details  thereof  and  if not, the reasons therefor?

## ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM         (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)

(a) to (e): The  Ministry  of  Tourism  launched  its  flagship  scheme  of Swadesh  Darshan  in  2014-15  and  sanctioned  a  total  number  of  76 projects till 2018-19 with the approval of Cabinet. The projects under the Swadesh  Darshan Scheme  were sanctions on receipt of project proposals from the State Governments/UT Administrations and subject to its alignments with scheme guidelines, availability of funds etc. Under Swadesh Darshan Scheme, the Ministry sanctioned a total of 76 projects for  Rs.5287.90  Crore  which  includes  2  projects  in  Rural  theme  for Rs.101.62 Crore. In addition to above, the projects were also sanctioned under themes of similar nature such as Eco, Wildlife, Himalayan, Tribal, North-East  etc.  The  Ministry  of  Tourism  has  revamped  the  Swadesh Darshan Scheme as Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0) with the objective to develop  sustainable  and  responsible  tourism  destinations,  following  a destination  &  tourist-centric  approach  and  has  sanctioned  34  projects for Rs.793.20 Crore in the country. Swadesh Darshan Scheme focuses on developing projects in tier II and tier III destinations in the country and encourages  the  State  Governments  (SGs)/UT  Administrations  (UTs)  to undertake  sustainable  tourism  development,  focus  on  Public  Private Partnership (PPP) and operation and maintenance of the assets created. In order to monitor and expedite progress of the projects and to guide the  State  Governments/UT  Administrations,  the  Ministry  of  Tourism holds  regular  review  meetings  at  different  levels.    Further,  Central Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee and Mission Directorate meetings are also held as per requirement.

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