(a) whether the Government is implementing any scheme for the development of heritage cities in the country;
(b) if so, the details thereof indicating the cities declared as heritage city in the country including North Eastern States; and
(c) whether the Government proposes to declare Banpeta town as one of heritage city and if so, the details thereof?
THE MINISTER OF STATE (INDEPENDENT CHARGE) OF THE MINISTRY OF HOUSING AND URBAN AFFAIRS
(SHRI HARDEEP SINGH PURI)
(a) to (c): The National Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY), a central sector scheme with the Budget allocation of Rs. 500 crore was launched on 21st January, 2015 with the aim of bringing together urban planning, economic growth and heritage conservation in an inclusive manner with the objective of preserving the heritage character of the City. Under the scheme, twelve cities namely Ajmer, Amritsar, Amaravati, Badami, Dwarka, Gaya, Kanchipuram, Mathura, Puri, Varanasi, Velankanni and Warangal were identified for development. The period of HRIDAY scheme has ended on 31st March, 2019. No city from the North Eastern States was included under this Scheme.
On discontinuation of the HRIDAY Scheme, Heritage component has been included in National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Augmentation Drive (PRASAD) Scheme with re-nomenclature as National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD) with change in guidelines in October, 2017. The PRASHAD scheme is administered by the Ministry of Tourism and till date no Heritage city/site/place has been notified under the scheme.
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