Question : PROPOSALS FOR TOURISM DEVELOPMENT

(a) the details of the project proposals sanctioned out of the proposals received from the State Governments and Union Territory (UT) Administrations for promotion and development of tourism along with the funds allocated/released thereunder during each of the last three years and the current year, State/UT-wise;

(b) the status of completion of projects and utilization of funds thereunder during the said period, State/UT-wise;

(c) the State/UT-wise project proposals lying pending with the Union Government for clearance, the reasons for their pendency along with the progress made for their clearance;

(d) the criteria/norms adopted for sanction of projects and allocation of funds thereunder;

(e) the details of sites including religious and historical sites identified to be developed for tourism and tourism circuits during the said period, State/UT-wise; and

(f) the monitoring mechanism put in place for timely completion of projects and utilization of funds thereunder by the State/UTs?

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI SUBODH KANT SAHAI)

(a) to (f): A Statement is laid on the Table of the Sabha.

STATEMENT IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. +118 ANSWERED ON 17.08.2012 REGARDING PROPOSALS FOR TOURISM DEVELOPMENT.

(a) to (f): Promotion, development, identification and timely completion of tourism projects including religious and historical sites in the country are primarily the responsibility of the State Governments/Union Territory (UT) Administrations. However, Ministry of Tourism grants central financial assistance to the projects in consultation with the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations subject to availability of funds, inter-se priority, and adherence to Scheme Guidelines.

Prioritisation meetings with States/UTs are generally held before the commencement of each financial year. All pending and new proposals to be undertaken by States/UTs are finalized in these meetings.

The statement of number of project and amount sanction during last three years (2009-2010, 2010-2011 and 2011-2012) are given at Annexure.

The States/UTs have set-up State Level Monitoring Committee (SLMC) to regular review the progress of tourism infrastructure projects. Ministry of Tourism also monitors the implementation of projects through Regional Conferences, field inspections by the officers of the Ministry, periodical review meetings with the State/UT officers. State Governments/UT Administrations are required to submit the reports of the State Level Monitoring Committees to the Ministry of Tourism periodically.