Lok Sabha Question No. 1252 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-07
Subject: Special Tourism Package for NER
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: PINAKI MISRA, RAM PRASAD SARMAH

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1252 ANSWERED ON 07.12.2015

## SPECIAL TOURISM PACKAGE FOR NER

1252. SHRI PINAKI MISRA:

SHRI RAM PRASAD SARMAH:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has any proposal to sanction Special Tourism Package for the North-Eastern region of the country;
- (b)
- if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
- (c) the  details  of  the  number  of  tourists  who  visited  the  NorthEastern region during the last three years and current year?

## ANSWER

MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) (DR. MAHESH SHARMA)

(a) and (b): No, Madam. Development and promotion of tourism is primarily the responsibility of the State Governments/UT Administrations.  However,  Ministry  of  Tourism  provides  Central Financial  Assistance  (CFA)  to  State  Governments/Union  Territory Administrations  for  various  tourism  projects  subject  to  availability of funds, inter-se priority, liquidation of pending utilization certificates against the funds released earlier and adherence to the relevant  scheme  guidelines.  Further,  the  following  initiatives  are taken  by  the  Government  of  India  to  promote  tourism  in  North Eastern Region:

- (i) Provision  of  complimentary  space  to  the  North  Eastern States  in  India  Pavilions  set  up  at  major  International Travel Fairs and Exhibitions.
- (ii) 100% central financial assistance for organizing fairs & festivals is allowed to the North Eastern States.
- (iii) Ministry  of  Tourism,  as  part  of  its  on-going  activities, annually  releases  print,  electronic,  online  and  outdoor media  campaigns  in  the international  and  domestic markets, under the Incredible India brand-line, to promote various tourism destinations and products of the country,  including  the  lesser  known  destinations  which have tourism potential. The Ministry of Tourism undertakes  special  campaigns  on  NE  Region  on  TV channels to promote tourism in the regions.
- (iv) International Tourism Mart (ITM) is organized annually in the North Eastern States with the objective of showcasing  the  largely  untapped  tourism  potential  of North  East  region  in  the  domestic  and  international markets. So far, Ministry of Tourism in association with North  Eastern  States  and  West  Bengal  has  conducted four ITMs in the North East region.

The Ministry of Tourism has also launched following two new schemes pursuant to the Budget 2014-15 announcements.

- (1) Swadesh Darshan for Integrated Development of Tourist Circuits around Specific Themes.
- (2) National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and spiritual Augmentation  Drive  (PRASAD)  to  beautify  and  improve the amenities and infrastructure at pilgrimage centres of all faiths.

Twelve theme based circuits i.e. North East Circuit, Buddhist Circuit,  Himalayan  Circuit,  Coastal  Circuit,  Krishna  Circuit,  Desert Circuit,  Tribal  Circuit,  Eco  Circuit,  Wildlife  Circuit,  Rural  Circuit, Spiritual  Circuit  and  Ramayana  Circuit  have  been  identified  for development under 'Swadesh Darshan'.

Under  PRASAD,  thirteen  cities  have  been  identified  namely Ajmer,  Amritsar,  Amravati,  Dwarka,  Gaya,  Kedarnath,  Kamakhaya, Kanchipuram, Mathura, Puri, Varanasi, Velankanni, and Patna.

Following  projects  have  been  sanctioned  under  Swadesh Darshan  Scheme  to  North  Eastern  State  under  North  East  India Circuit during 2014-15 and 2015-16.

(Rs. in crore)

| Sl. No   | Name of the projects                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      | Amt. Sanctioned   |
|----------|---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-------------------|
|          | Arunachal Pradesh                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         |                   |
|          | 2014-15                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |                   |
| 1.       | Bhalukpong-Bomdila-Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh                                                                                                                                                                                                                            | 50.00             |
|          | Manipur                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |                   |
|          | 2015-16                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |                   |
| 1.       | Development of Tourist Circuit in Manipur: Imphal-Moirang-Khongjom-Moreh                                                                                                                                                                                                  | 89.66             |
|          | Sikkim                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    |                   |
|          | 2015-16                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |                   |
| 1.       | Development of Tourist Circuit linking - Rangpo (entry) - Rorathang - Aritar - Phadamchen - Nathang - Sherathang - Tsongmo - Gangtok - Phodong - Mangan - Lachung - Yumthang - Lachen - Thangu - Gurudongmer - Mangan - Gangtok - Tumin Lingee - Singtam (exit) in Sikkim | 98.05             |
|          | Nagaland                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  |                   |
|          | 2015-16                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   |                   |
| 1.       | Development of Tribal Circuit Peren -Kohima- Wokha, Nagaland.                                                                                                                                                                                                             | 97.36             |

(c): The  total  number  of  Domestic  Tourist  Visits  (DTVs)  and Foreign  Tourists  Visits  (FTVs)  to  NER  in  last  three  years  are  as under:

|   Year |    DTVs |   FTVs |
|--------|---------|--------|
|   2012 | 6478933 |  66302 |
|   2013 | 6677280 |  84820 |
|   2014 | 6889915 | 118552 |

An overwhelming growth rate of about 40%in Foreign Tourists visits have been recorded in North Eastern region during 2014.

Figures of 2015 is not available.

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