Questions :

Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:

• the number of pilgrimage centres that have been developed and opened for devotees/tourists under the PRASHAD Scheme so far;
• whether there has been an increase in the number of devotees/tourists at the sites developed under this Scheme;
• if so, the number of pilgrims/tourists visited these places in the last three years, year- wise;
• whether any sites in the State of Haryana have been proposed to be included in this Scheme, if so, the details thereof; and
• if not, the details thereof along with the reasons therefor?

ANSWER

THE MINISTER OF TOURISM                                                  (SHRI G. KISHAN REDDY)

• : Ministry of Tourism has approved a total number of 45 projects under Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive’ (PRASHAD) Scheme in the country out of which physical execution of 21 projects are complete.

• & (c): Ministry of Tourism does not maintain destination/site wise data on tourists, however, data on State-wise Domestic and Foreign Tourist Visits in the country during 2019- 2021 is annexed.

(d) & (e):  Development of tourism is primarily the responsibility of the concerned State Government/Union Territory Administration. However, the Ministry of Tourism provides Financial Assistance to State Governments/Union Territory Administrations/Central Agencies for development of tourism infrastructure in the country including Haryana, under its ongoing schemes of ‘Swadesh Darshan’, ‘Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive’ (PRASHAD) and ‘Assistance to Central Agencies’. Submission of proposals and sanctioning of projects under the above mentioned schemes are a continuous process which is subject to availability of funds, receipt of suitable detailed project reports, adherence to scheme guidelines, performance of ongoing projects and utilization of funds released earlier etc. This Ministry has already sanctioned a project ‘Development of Nada Saheb Gurudwara and Mata Mansha Devi Temple’ in Panchkula District Haryana under PRASHAD scheme for Rs. 49.52 Crore in the year 2019-20 which is under implementation.

STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (b) & (c) OF RAJYA SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1898 ANSWERED ON 16.03.2023 REGARDING EFFECTS AND EXTENT OF THE PRASHAD SCHEME.

Domestic and Foreign Tourist Visits during Year 2019-2021

*: Data for 2020 & 2021 is estimated by applying all India growth rate for 2020/19 on 2019 data and 2021/20 on 2020 data.