**Executive Summary**
This document is a response by the Ministry of Tourism to Unstarred Question No. 1318 in the Lok Sabha, answered on December 8, 2025, regarding the development of the Puttur Mahalingeshwara Temple under the PRASHAD scheme. The response addresses proposals submitted by the State Government of Karnataka, particularly those from Dakshina Kannada. The Minister clarifies the role of the Ministry in relation to State/UT Administrations and notes that proposals are continuously received and examined.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Role of State/UTs:** Development of tourist destinations and products is primarily undertaken by the respective State Government/Union Territory (UT) Administration.
* **Ministry's Complementary Role:** The Ministry complements the efforts of States/UTs by developing tourism infrastructure through various schemes and initiatives, in consultation with the State Governments/ UT Administrations.
* **Proposal Examination:** Receiving proposals from the State Governments/UT Administrations for financial assistance for tourism projects is a continuous process. Proposals are examined with reference to prescribed guidelines.
* **Puttur Temple Proposal:** No project for the development of Puttur Mahalingeshwara Temple is under consideration for approval under the PRASHAD Scheme.
* **Karnataka Projects under PRASHAD Scheme:** The annexure lists approved projects in Karnataka under the PRASHAD Scheme:
* **2023-24**: Development of Pilgrimage Amenities at Sri Chamundeshwari Temple, Mysuru sanctioned cost is 45.38 crore and released amount is 13.33 crore.
* **2024-25**: Development of Renuka Yallama Devi temple sanctioned cost is 18.37 crore.
* **2024-25**: Development of Basic Amenities at Papnash Temple, Bidar dist. sanctioned cost is 22.25 crore and released amount is 6.30 crore.
**Impact Analysis**
**Stakeholder: State Government of Karnataka**
* **Impact:** Clarification on the status of proposals submitted under the PRASHAD scheme, specifically for the Puttur Mahalingeshwara Temple. Awareness that development of tourism is the responsibility of state governments.
* **Action Required:** Continue submitting proposals for tourism projects and ensure they meet the prescribed guidelines.
**Stakeholder: Residents/Devotees of Puttur Mahalingeshwara Temple**
* **Impact:** Awareness that funding for the temple's development under the PRASHAD scheme is not currently under consideration.
* **Action Required:** May need to seek alternative sources of funding for the temple's development.
**Stakeholder: Shri Captain Brijesh Chowta (Questioner)**
* **Impact:** Received information on the status of the Puttur Mahalingeshwara Temple proposal and details of other projects funded under the PRASHAD scheme in Karnataka.
* **Action Required:** No direct action required. The questioner now has the information to proceed as necessary.
Key Entities Referenced
PRASHAD: Scheme for pilgrimage rejuvenation and spiritual augmentation drive.
Puttur Mahalingeshwara Temple: Temple in Karnataka for which development proposals are under consideration.
Karnataka: State government that submitted proposals under the PRASHAD scheme.
Ministry of Tourism: Union ministry responsible for tourism development and administering the PRASHAD scheme.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TOURISM
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.1318
ANSWERED ON 08.12.2025
DEVELOPMENT OF PUTTUR MAHALINGESHWARA
TEMPLE UNDER PRASHAD
1318.SHRI CAPTAIN BRIJESH CHOWTA:
Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:
(a) the status of proposals submitted by the State Government of
Karnataka under the PRASHAD scheme, particularly those from
Dakshina Kannada;
(b) whether the proposal for developing Puttur Mahalingeshwara
Temple has been appraised by the Government and the stage of
approval or queries raised;
(c) whether the Government has sought any additional documentation
or modifications from the State Government for this proposal; and
(d) the details of the funds released for PRASHAD projects in
Karnataka in recent years and the indicative timeline for
sanctioning new projects, including the one proposed for Puttur?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) to (d): Development of tourist destinations and products is primarily
undertaken by the respective State Government/Union Territory (UT)
Administration. However, the Ministry complements the efforts of
States/UTs by developing tourism infrastructure through various
schemes and initiatives in consultation with the State Governments/ UT
Administrations.
Receiving proposals from the State Governments/UT
Administrations for financial assistance for tourism projects is a
continuous process. The proposals received are examined withreference to the prescribed guidelines and financial assistance is
extended for such projects subject to fulfilment of the stipulated
conditions and availability of funds. Further, no project for development
of Puttur Mahalingeshwara Temple is under consideration for approval
under the PRASHAD Scheme.
The details of the projects in Karnataka under the PRASHAD
Scheme is given in the Annexure.
*******ANNEXURE
STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PARTS (a) TO (d) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED
QUESTION NO.1318 ANSWERED ON 08.12.2025 REGARDING
DEVELOPMENT OF PUTTUR MAHALINGESHWARA TEMPLE UNDER
PRASHAD RAISED BY SHRI CAPTAIN BRIJESH CHOWTA
List of projects under PRASHAD Scheme
Sl. Name of the project Sanction Sanctioned Released
No. year cost Amount
(Rs. in (Rs. in crore)
crore)
1. Development of Pilgrimage 2023-24 45.38 13.33
Amenities at Sri
Chamundeshwari Devi
Temple, Mysuru
2. Development of Renuka 2024-25 18.37 -
Yallama Devi temple
3. Development of Basic 2024-25 22.25 6.30
Amenities at Papnash
Temple, Bidar dist.
*****