Question : Development and Promotion of Tourism in Assam

(a) the details of the schemes implemented/being implemented by the Government for the development and promotion of tourism in Assam;
(b) the number of tourist places selected/identified in the State of Assam during the last five years for development and promotion of tourism;
(c) the details of funds allocated and expenditure incurred by the Government during the last three years for the said purpose;
(d) the details of the projects formulated and implemented so far; and
(e) whether the Government has received any proposal from the BTC (Bodoland Territorial Council) for the promotion of tourism along with the details of funds released to BTC and utilized by BTC for the development and promotion of tourism during the last three years?

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

(a) to (e): Development and promotion of tourist places is primarily the responsibility of concerned State Government/UT Administration. However, the Ministry of Tourism promotes India as a holistic destination covering its various tourism destinations and products across different States/Union Territories in the country under the Incredible India brand-line.

The Ministry under its 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 the State Governments/UT Administrations/Central Agencies for development of tourism infrastructure in the country.

Submission of projects under the schemes is a continuous process. The projects for development under the scheme are identified in consultation with the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations/Central Agencies and are sanctioned subject to availability of funds, submission of suitable detailed project reports, their adherence to scheme guidelines and utilization of funds released earlier.

Based on above parameters the Ministry has sanctioned following projects to the state of Assam under the Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD schemes are as follows:

(In Rs. crore)
<pre>
Sl. No. Scheme / Year of Sanction Name of the project Amt sanctioned Amt released
1 Swadesh Darshan
(2015-16) Development of Manas– Probitora– Nameri– Kaziranga– Dibru– Saikhowa as Wildlife Circuit 95.67 76.54
2 Swadesh Darshan
(2016-17) Development of Tezpur – Majuli – Sibsagar as Heritage Circuit 98.35 45.29
3. PRASHAD
(2015-16) Development of Kamakhya 30.71 22.02
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