Question : DEVELOPMENT OF FREEDOM CIRCUIT

(a) Whether Government of Karnataka has sent a project proposal to the Union Government for integrated development of Freedom Circuit on some sectors in the State ;

(b) If so, the details thereof; and

(c) The present status of the proposal ?

THE MINISTER OF THE STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF TOURISM AND CULTURE(SMT. AMBIKA SONI)

(a) : Yes, Sir.

(b)and (c) : Development and promotion of tourism in the country including the State of Karnataka is a continuous process. From the 10th Five Year Plan, the Ministry of Tourism has been providing central financial assistance to the State Governments/UT Administrations on the basis of project proposals prioritised in consultation with them every year for the following schemes:



(1) Tourist Circuit

(2) Destination development

(3) Large Revenue Generating

(4) Fairs and festivals

The State Government of Karnataka had submitted a project proposal on 7.11.2005 at an estimated cost of Rs.8,02,52,735.00 for integrated development of Freedom Circuit on the sector Srirangapattanna-Shivapura-Ramaswamy(Mysore), which has not been prioritised during the meeting between Ministry of Tourism and the State Government. Besides, the project proposal was not formulated as per guidelines and was, therefore, not sanctioned. The Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned eight projects for an amount of Rs.1727.70 lakh during the year 2005-06 for the State of Karnataka for other projects of tourist development and promotion.