Tourism Ministry scaling up ‘Challenge-Based’ model to fast-track destination development: Shekhawat
Gajendra Singh
In addition, Government of India under its initiative for ‘Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI)’ has also provided financial assistance to the States for development of tourism projects.
Development and promotion of tourist destinations and tourism products is primarily undertaken by the respective State Government / Union Territory (UT) Administration. However, the Ministry of Tourism through its central sector schemes of ‘Swadesh Darshan (SD)’, ‘Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0)’, ‘Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD)’ –a sub-scheme of SD2.0, ‘Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)’ and ‘Assistance to Central Agencies (ACA) for Tourism Infrastructure Development’ complements the efforts of tourism infrastructure development by extending financial assistance to the State Governments/UT Administrations/Central Agencies; subject to adherence to scheme guidelines, submission of Detailed Project Reports (DPRs), availability of funds, inter-se priority etc.
Under the Challenge-Based Destination Development (CBDD) a sub-scheme of Swadesh Darshan 2.0, proposals are submitted by the concerned SGs/UTAs in response to notifications issued by the Ministry. Selection of destinations under the CBDD component is carried out as per the criteria notified in the scheme guidelines. These criteria include parameters relating to destination readiness, tourism potential, institutional arrangements, community engagement, environmental considerations and overall coherence of the proposal. Evaluation of proposals is undertaken through the structured assessment process defined in the guidelines.
Under the scheme, Ministry encourages the SG/UT to adopt convergence across connectivity, civic infrastructure, local mobility, skill development, products and experience being developed with relevant initiatives of Central Ministries/Departments or the concerned SG/UT at the destinations.
The details of the projects sanctioned under the CBDD scheme in the country along with sanction and authorised amount since its inception is annexed.
This information was given by Union Minister for Tourism and Culture Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in a written reply in Lok Sabha.
Source: PIB
