CURRENT AFFAIRS FOR UPSC IAS

The Union Cabinet gave its approval to release funds to the tune of Rs 627.40 crore for the 10 projects under Swadesh Darshan scheme sanctioned during 2018-19. It also gave its approval for the release of an additional Rs 1,854.67 crore for sanctioning of new projects during 2019-20 in Swadesh Darshan scheme.

• India’s rich cultural, historical, religious and natural heritage provides great scope to develop tourist circuits on specific themes to attract the tourists having a special interest in visiting such places.
• Government of India, Ministry of Tourism (MoT) launched the Swadesh Darshan Scheme (Central Sector Scheme)– for integrated development of theme based tourist circuits in the country in 2014-15.
• The Ministry of Tourism has already sanctioned 77 projects at the cost of Rs. 6131.88 Crore to 30 States and UTs. Of these 30 projects / major components of projects are expected to be completed during the current financial year, of which 12 projects worth Rs.1024.49 crore, covering the state of Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh Kerala and Sikkim have already been inaugurated.

Scheme Objectives

• To position tourism as a major engine of economic growth and job creation;
• Develop circuits having tourist potential in a planned and prioritized manner
• Promote cultural and heritage value of the country to generate livelihoods in the identified regions
• Enhancing the tourist attractiveness in a sustainable manner by developing world class infrastructure in the circuit /destinations
• Follow community based development and pro-poor tourism approach
• Creating awareness among the local communities about the importance of tourism for them in terms of increased sources of income, improved living standards and overall development of the area.
• To create employment through active involvement of local communities;
• Harness tourism potential for its effects in employment generation and economic development
• To make full use of the potential and advantages in terms of available infrastructure, national culture and characteristic strong points of each and every region throughout the country by development of theme based circuits.
• Development of tourist facilitation services to enhance visitor experience/satisfaction.

Significance

• Under the scheme, the Ministry of Tourism is developing critical tourism infrastructure in a sustainable and inclusive manner.
• The provision of this critical infrastructure will catalyse the private sector investment in revenue-generating projects which in turn would lead to positive enhancement of overall experience of tourists.
• This would lead to increased footfall in the areas, growth of revenue and employment.

Conclusion

Bharat Darshan Scheme is one of the most ambitious schemes that is going to transform the tourism industry in India. It will help in building critical infrastructure by catalyzing the private sector investment apart from public spending.