Question : Integrated Development of Theme Based Tourist Circuit in Karnataka

(a) whether the Swadesh Darshan Scheme launched for the integrated development of theme based tourist circuits has no tourist circuit included from the State of Karnataka;
(b) whether the Government is tracing any such circuit from the State of Karnataka;
(c) whether there is a plan to consider a few important places of religious importance from the State of Karnataka in the near future;
(d) whether the Government proposes to sanction funds for this scheme to Karnataka in near future in view of the State being large in size and if so, the details thereof; and
(e) whether all States are covered under this scheme and if so, the details thereof and if not, whether there will be uniform coverage for all the States, area-wise and population-wise?

MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)
(a) to (e): The Ministry of Tourism has not sanctioned any tourism project in the State of Karnataka under its Swadesh Darshan scheme, however, the Ministry of Tourism has already sanctioned 76 projects in 31 States/UT Administrations under the scheme. The Ministry has now revamped its Swadesh Darshan scheme for sanctioning of new projects in the country, following a destination and tourist centric approach.
In addition, the Ministry of Tourism under its ongoing scheme of ‘Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage, Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)’ also sanctions projects in the country for development of tourism infrastructure with the objective of integrated development of identified pilgrimage and heritage destinations.
Development of Tourism is primarily responsibility of the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations. The Ministry of Tourism had advised the State Government of Karnataka for submission of proposal to be taken up under Swadesh Darshan scheme. The State Government of Karnataka has submitted a concept proposal for Development of Sri Chamundeshwari Devi Temple in Mysuru under PRASHAD scheme. Site visit to Chamundeshwari Temple has been conducted on 10th February, 2022 and the State Government has set the target to submit the Detailed Project Report (DPR) for further approval of project under PRASHAD scheme.

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