Question : Proposals from States to Add New Tourist Spots in Tourist Circuits

(a) whether tourism industry has been severely affected by COVID-19 pandemic;
(b) if so, the details thereof along with the corrective measures being taken by the Government in this regard;
(c) whether the Union Government has received any proposal for the Government of Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Bihar, Gujarat and Jharkhand to add new tourist destinations under tourist circuits and if so, the details thereof;
(d) the present status of the proposals received along with the decision taken by the Government on the said proposals;
(e) whether the Union Government has allocated funds to various State Governments to develop new tourist destinations in their respective states during the last three years; and
(f) if so, the State-wise/Union Territory wise details thereof including Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Bihar, Gujarat and Jharkhand?

MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

(a) & (b): Yes, Sir. It is a fact that the tourism industry has been severely affected by COVID-19 pandemic. The details of various fiscal and non-fiscal relief measures announced by the Government of India, which are expected to assist the tourism industry are given at Annexure I.

(c) to (f): The Ministry of Tourism provides financial assistance under the schemes of ‘Swadesh Darshan’ and ‘National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)’ for development of tourism infrastructure in the country further to submission of complete project proposals by the State Governments/Union Territories, including Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Bihar, Gujarat and Jharkhand. This is a continuous process and the projects are sanctioned subject to availability of funds, submission of suitable Detailed Project Reports, adherence to scheme guidelines and utilization of funds released earlier. The details of proposals sanctioned and funds released under these schemes to various State Governments/Union Territories, including Chhattisgarh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Bihar, Gujarat and Jharkhand in the last three years is given at Annexure II.

*******