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New Delhi: Swadesh Darshan, a central government scheme launched in 2014 -15 for the integrated development of theme-based tourist circuits in the country, is facing setbacks and is trailing behind in several parts of the country, reveals a Parliamentary Committee Report. Further, the report indicates that the union government only provided Rs 3.88 crore out of Rs 69.47 crore allocated for projects proposed under the scheme in Kerala.
The report revealed that the Rural Circuit (Kerala), Himalayan circuit (J&K), Eco circuit (Punjab and Jharkhand) and Spiritual Circuit (Maharashtra) are trailing behind and are far from completion. The report was tabled on Monday in parliament by a committee headed by MP V Vijayasai Reddy.
Though Rs 5508.83 crore was allocated for 76 projects under the scheme, only 34 projects were completed by the government, says the report. Under the scheme, the Ministry of Tourism provides Central Financial Assistance (CFA) to State Governments/Union Territory Administrations for the infrastructure development of circuits.
Meanwhile, the report also mentions that the government has set a deadline to complete the projects facing delays. Despite setbacks, the government recently revamped the scheme as Swadesh Darshan 2.0 to bolster the tourism sector in the country.
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