Development and promotion of tourism destinations and products is primarily undertaken by the concerned State Government (SG)/Union Territory Administration (UTA).

Government of India under its ‘Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) – Development of Iconic Tourist Centres to Global Scale’ sanctioned 40 projects in 23 States for ₹3295.76 Crore including Punjab in Financial Year 2024-25, with the primary objective to comprehensively develop iconic tourist centres in the country, branding and marketing them at global scale. The projects were identified based on the proposals received from the concerned State Government and parameters formalized in this regard. The projects under SASCI initiative are being implemented by the respective State Governments and funds for this purpose have been sanctioned / released by the Department of Expenditure to the respective State Governments. The details of the projects sanctioned under this scheme in the country including Punjab along with the fund released is annexed.

Presently, there is no proposal to sanction more number of projects under SASCI scheme. However, the Ministry of Tourism under its central sector schemes of Swadesh Darshan (SD), Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0) & its sub-scheme of ‘Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD)’ and ‘Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)’ provides financial assistance the State Governments / UT Administrations for development of tourism infrastructure and experiences in the country on  receipt of the project proposals from the concerned SGs/UTAs under the relevant schemes in synergy with the scheme guidelines, Government instructions, availability of funds etc. Accordingly, the Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned 76 projects for ₹5290.33 Crore under SD, 53 projects for ₹2208.27 Crore under SD2.0, 36 projects for ₹648.11 Crore under CBDD and 54 projects for ₹1726.74 Crore in PRASHAD scheme in the country including the state of Punjab.

This information was given by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Shri Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in Lok Sabha today.

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Sunil Kumar Tiwari  

tourism4pib[at]gmail[dot]com