Lok Sabha Question No. 3615 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2015-12-21
Subject: Schemes for Promotion of Tourism
Ministry: TOURISM
Asked by: BHARTRUHARI MAHTAB

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF TOURISM

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.3615 ANSWERED ON 21.12.2015

## SCHEMES FOR PROMOTION OF TOURISM

## 3615. SHRI BHARTRUHARI MAHTAB:

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

- (a) the details of the schemes/programmes being implemented by the  Government  for  promotion  of  tourism  in  the  country particularly in the State of Odisha;
- (b) the details of the funds provided under the said schemes/programmes during each of the last three years and the current year, Scheme/Programme-wise;
- (c) whether the cases of corruption/irregularities/diversion of funds under the said schemes/programmes have come to the notice  of  the  Government  during  the  said  period,  if  so,  the details thereof,  scheme/programme-wise  and the reasons therefor  along  with  the  action  taken/being  taken  by  the Government in such cases so far;
- (d) whether  cases  of  misbehaviour/attack  on  foreign  tourists  in the country have come to the notice of the Government; and
- (e) the corrective measures taken/being taken by the Government in this regard?

## ANSWER

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

(a) and (b): The details of major Plan Schemes implemented by the Ministry of Tourism for development and promotion of tourism in the  country  including  the  State  of  Odisha,  along  with  the    Budget Outlay for the last three years and the current year is given at the Annexure-I.

(c):   Promotion, development and implementation of tourism projects in the country is primarily the responsibility of respective State Government/Union Territory Administration. Ministry of Tourism  (MOT)  provides  Central  Financial  Assistance  (CFA)  to various State Governments/Union Territory Administrations for various tourism projects subject to the availability of funds, liquidation  of  pending  utilization  certificates  against  the  funds released earlier and adherence to the relevant scheme guidelines.

All States/Union Territories have set-up State Level Monitoring Committees (SLMCs) to review the progress of tourism infrastructure projects sanctioned  to  them  by  the  Ministry of Tourism. In addition, the Ministry of Tourism monitors the implementation of these projects also through field inspections by its own officers. Based on their inspection reports, the deficiencies/irregularities, if  any,  that  come  to  fore  in  various projects are communicated to the concerned States/Union Territories for taking necessary remedial/corrective action.

- (d)  and  (e):  The  Ministry  of  Tourism  does  not  compile  the  data regarding crime against foreign or domestic tourists.  However, the National  Crime  Records  Bureau  (NCRB),  Ministry  of  Home  Affairs has started collecting data on crime against foreign tourists since 2014. The total numbers of cases registered against crime against foreign tourists were 384 during 2014.

The steps taken by Ministry  of  Tourism  to  ensure  the  safety and security of tourists including foreign tourists are as below:

- i) The  Ministry  of  Tourism,  on  a  pilot  basis,  has  set  up  the 'Incredible India Help Line' to guide the tourists.
2. ii) Adoption  of  code  of  conduct  for  Safe  and  Hon'ble  Tourism, which  contains  a  set  of  guidelines  to  encourage  tourism activities  to  be  undertaken  with  respect  to  basic  rights  like dignity, safety and freedom from exploitation of both tourists and local residents, in particular women and children.
3. iii) All the Chief Ministers of the State Governments and Administrators  of  Union  Territory  Administrations  have  been asked  to take immediate  effective steps for ensuring a conducive  and  friendly  environment  for  all  tourists  and  also request  them  to  publicize  the  steps  being  taken/proposed  to
4. be  taken  to  increase  the  sense  of  security  amongst  the present/prospective visitors and also to counter the negative publicity, if any.
5. iv) The National Tourism Ministers' Conference was convened on 18 th   July,  2013  and  21 st   August  2014  in  New  Delhi  which resolved;  that  the  Departments  of  Tourism  of  all  States  and UTs will work for ensuring the safety and security of tourists, especially women. The State Governments/UT Administrations of  Andhra  Pradesh,  Goa,  Karnataka,  Kerala,  Maharashtra, Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan,  Jammu  & Kashmir, Uttar Pradesh,  Delhi,  Punjab,  Madhya  Pradesh  and  Odisha  have deployed Tourist Police, in one form or the other.
6. vi) Ministry of Tourism is running the Social Awareness Campaign on television to sensitize the masses and the stakeholders on the traditional Indian values and concept 'Atithi Devo Bhava'.
7. vii) In  the  wake  of  some  unfortunate  incidents  involving  foreign tourists, Ministry of Tourism has also posted an advisory on its website www.incredibleindia.org.
8. viii)   The  Ministry  of  Tourism  has  issued  the  Guidelines  on  Safety and Security of Tourists for State Governments/Union Territories  and  Tips  for  Travellers  in  September  2014.  These guidelines are offered to the State Governments/Union Territories and other relevant authorities to stress the importance of safety and risk management, assist in identifying  best  practices  and  encourage  closer  cooperation for ensuring a pleasant experience  to the tourists.  The Guidelines are indicative references that may be useful to the States  in  sharing  or  adopting  the  best  practices  and  design their domestic measures to better protect tourists.  In addition to  these  guidelines  'Tips  to  Travellers'  are  also  offered  to make  the  visit  of  tourists  to  Incredible  India,  a  memorable experience.

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ANNEXURE-I

STATEMENT  IN  REPLY  TO  PARTS  (a) AND  (b)  OF  LOK  SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION No.3615 ANSWERED ON 21.12.2015 REGARDING SCHEMES FOR PROMOTION OF TOURISM.

The  details  of  major  Plan  Schemes  implemented  by  the  Ministry  of Tourism along with the  Budget Outlay for the last three years and the current year.

(Rs. in Crore)

| Sl. No.   | Name of Schemes                                                                        | 2012-13 RE*                       | 2013-14 RE*                       | 2014-15 RE*                       | 2015-16 BE**                      |
|-----------|----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------|-----------------------------------|-----------------------------------|-----------------------------------|
| A         | CENTRAL SECTOR SCHEMES (CS)                                                            | CENTRAL SECTOR SCHEMES (CS)       | CENTRAL SECTOR SCHEMES (CS)       | CENTRAL SECTOR SCHEMES (CS)       | CENTRAL SECTOR SCHEMES (CS)       |
| 1.        | Swadesh Darshan - Integrated Development of Tourist Circuits on Specific Themes        | Scheme launched in 2014- 15       | Scheme launched in 2014-15        | 20.00                             | 569.39                            |
| 2.        | National Mission for Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive (PRASAD) | Scheme launched in 2014-15        | Scheme launched in 2014-15        | 15.60                             | 110.00                            |
| 3.        | Overseas Promotion and Publicity including Market Development Assistance               | 180.00                            | 197.31                            | 167.08                            | 330.00                            |
| 4.        | Assistance to IHMs/FCIs/IITTM/NCHMCT                                                   | 100.00                            | 129.78                            | 137.00                            | 165.00                            |
| 5.        | Domestic Promotion and Publicity including Hospitality                                 | 65.00                             | 117.23                            | 133.00                            | 142.00                            |
| 6.        | Capacity Building for Service Providers                                                | 50.00                             | 71.57                             | 90.00                             | 88.05                             |
| 7.        | Computerisation and Information Technology                                             | 15.00                             | 1.73                              | 1.00                              | 7.00                              |
| 8.        | Assistance for Large Revenue Generating Projects                                       | 1.00                              | 0.10                              | 1.00                              | 1.00                              |
| 9.        | Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development                  | 30.00                             | 25.00                             | 17.00                             | 49.25                             |
| 10.       | Market Research including 20 Years Perspective Plan                                    | 20.00                             | 13.00                             | 9.92                              | 10.75                             |
| B         | CENTRALLY SPONSORED SCHEMES (CSS)                                                      | CENTRALLY SPONSORED SCHEMES (CSS) | CENTRALLY SPONSORED SCHEMES (CSS) | CENTRALLY SPONSORED SCHEMES (CSS) | CENTRALLY SPONSORED SCHEMES (CSS) |
| 11.       | Infrastructure Development for Destination and Circuits-UT PLAN                        | 480.00                            | 422.27                            | 469.00                            | 20.00                             |
|           | Total                                                                                  | 941.00                            | 977.99                            | 1060.60                           | 1492.44                           |