Question : Tourist Locations in North-East Under Swadesh Darshan Scheme

(a) whether the Government has selected the tourist locations from North East which have been brought under the development programme of Swadesh Darshan Scheme;
(b) if so, the list of places, State-wise;
(c) the details of the projects and action taken at the tourist location within Assam;
(d) whether the Government has any plan to include more tourist locations in Assam and if not, the reason therefor;
(e) whether the Government has any tourism development plan centring around Kirtan Ghar of Barpeta and nearby Satras and around Bagheswari Temple of Bongaigaon; and
(f) if so, the details thereof and if not, the time by which the Government is likely to take up the matter?

MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI G.KISHAN REDDY)

(a) & (b): Identification and development of Tourist Destinations is primarily the responsibility of the respective State Government/ Union Territory Administration. However, the Ministry of Tourism under its scheme of ‘Swadesh Darshan’ provides funds to State Government/ Union Territory Administration/ Central Agencies, etc. for tourism infrastructure development in the country. Under this scheme, the Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned 16 projects in North East region of India for a total amount of Rs.1337.63 crore. The details of the projects sanctioned in North East region of India is at annexure I.

(c) to (f): The Ministry of Tourism under its scheme of Swadesh Darshan has sanctioned 02 projects in Assam, the location wise sanction details of these projects is at annexure II. Presently no new projects are being considered under the Swadesh Darshan scheme.

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