(a) the role and responsibility of the Ministry of tourism relating to selecting and upgrading a tourist spot into an international tourist spot in any State in the country;
(b) whether the Government has any projects/schemes for upgrading Shantiniketan in West Bengal into an international tourist spot;
(c) if so, the details thereof; and
(d) whether the Government has such projects/schemes for some other tourist spots within the country and, if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
(SHRI K.J. ALPHONS)
(a): Identification and development of tourist sites/destinations is primarily the responsibility of the State Governments/Union Territory (UT) Administrations. However, Ministry of Tourism under the Schemes of Swadesh Darshan – Integrated Development of Theme Based Tourist Circuits and PRASHAD (National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive) provides central financial assistance to State Governments/UT Administrations for the development of tourism infrastructure in the country.
(b) and (c): The projects under the above schemes are identified for development in consultation with the State Governments/UT Administrations and are sanctioned subject to availability of funds, submission of suitable detailed project reports, adherence to scheme guidelines and utilization of funds released earlier. The Ministry of Tourism has not sanctioned any project for development of Shantiniketan in West Bengal under the above schemes.
(d): The list of projects sanctioned under the Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD schemes is given at the Annexure.
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