Question : Delay in Proposals seeking Financial Assistance

(a) whether the proposals seeking financial assistance for tourism sector submitted by several states are inordinately delayed and such proposals remain pending upto 2 years;
(b) if so, the reasons therefor along with the reaction of the Government thereto;
(c) if not, the number of such proposals submitted during the last three years and disposed after one year along with the reaction of the Government in this regard;
(d) the efforts made by the Government to dispose the said proposals within stipulated time-period; and
(e) the outcome thereof?

MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
(SHRI PRAHLAD SINGH PATEL)

(a) to (e): The Ministry of Tourism provides Central Financial Assistance (CFA) for creation of the Tourism infrastructure to the State Governments/Union Territories under its ongoing schemes viz. “Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)” and Integrated development of Theme based Tourism Circuits in the country “Swadesh Darshan”.

The submission of the proposals by the State Governments/Union Territories under above schemes is a continuous process. The proposals are examined at three levels viz. Concept Presentation, Mission Directorate (MD), Central Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee (CSMC) meetings of which are convened from time to time. Approval are accorded to the proposals depending on the submission of suitable Detailed Project Proposals, Utilisation Certificate for the funds released to the Implementing agencies earlier, availability of funds, adherence to scheme guidelines. There is no delay in the Ministry of Tourism for approval of projects after the submission of final DPR by the State Government.

The details of the projects sanctioned under PRASHAD and Swadesh Darshan schemes to various State Governments/Union Territories in last three years is at Annexure.

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