Executive Summary:
This document is the response of the Minister of Tourism to questions raised in Lok Sabha regarding the National Tourism Advisory Council (NTAC), promotion of tourism, and related schemes. It details the NTAC's functions and recommendations, clarifies the budget allocation for tourism promotion, and outlines schemes for tourism infrastructure development, including projects in Chhattisgarh. The response also provides the status of tourism projects sanctioned in Chhattisgarh under various schemes.
Key Points / Main Content:
National Tourism Advisory Council (NTAC):
* The NTAC functions as a Think Tank for the Ministry of Tourism, chaired by the Minister of Tourism.
* It includes representatives from Central Ministries, tourism experts, and industry associations.
* Key recommendations include promoting spiritual, religious, and heritage tourism; strengthening MICE tourism; developing tourism circuits with improved connectivity; and boosting adventure tourism with infrastructure and safety standards.
* The council has not made any specific recommendation on the National Integrated Digital Platform for promotion of Guest Houses/Tourist Accommodation across all States and UTs.
Financial Assistance and Budget Allocation:
* The Ministry extends financial support to States/UTs, including Chhattisgarh, for tourism promotion under the Domestic Promotion and Publicity including Hospitality (DPPH) scheme.
* The allocation under DPPH for the current financial year is ₹136.90 crore.
* State/UT-wise budget allocations are not made by the Ministry.
Tourism Development Schemes:
* The Ministry provides financial assistance under schemes like Swadesh Darshan, PRASHAD, and Assistance to Central Agencies for Tourism Infrastructure Development.
* Swadesh Darshan has been revamped as Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0) for sustainable and responsible destination development.
* The Ministry of Tourism issued guidelines for the Development of Iconic Tourist Centres to Global Scale, under the Department of Expenditure's SASCI Scheme.
* 40 Projects worth ₹3295.76 Crore have been approved for development of lesser-known Tourism sites in 23 States, across the country under SASCI Scheme.
Chhattisgarh Tourism Projects:
* Projects sanctioned under the Swadesh Darshan scheme in Chhattisgarh include the Tribal Circuit Development of Jashpur (completed).
* Projects sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan 2.0 include the Kawardha-Bhoramdeo Corridor Development (ongoing).
* Projects sanctioned under the Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD) scheme include the Mayali Ecotourism and Bagicha Amrit Dharohar Sites (ongoing).
* Projects sanctioned under the Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) Scheme include the Development of Chitrotpala Film City in Raipur and Development of Tribal Cultural Convention Centre in Raipur (both ongoing).
* Projects sanctioned under PRASHAD Scheme include Development of Maa Bamleshwari Devi Temple, Dongargarh (completed).
Impact Analysis:
Ministry of Tourism:
* Impact: Responsible for implementing the recommendations of the NTAC and managing the various tourism development schemes.
* Action Required: Continue to oversee and support tourism development projects in states and union territories, monitor the progress of ongoing projects, and allocate funds under the relevant schemes.
State Governments and Union Territories:
* Impact: Recipients of financial assistance for tourism promotion and infrastructure development.
* Action Required: Utilize the allocated funds effectively to develop tourism infrastructure, promote tourism in their respective regions, and submit proposals for projects under the various schemes.
Tourism Industry Stakeholders:
* Impact: Benefit from the promotion of tourism, infrastructure development, and increased connectivity.
* Action Required: Participate in the various initiatives and schemes, provide feedback to the government, and contribute to the sustainable development of tourism in the country.
Key Entities Referenced
National Tourism Advisory Council: A Think Tank of the Ministry of Tourism, responsible for providing recommendations on tourism-related matters.
SHRI BRIJMOHAN AGRAWAL: Member of LOK SABHA who raised the question about the National Tourism Advisory Council.
SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT: The Minister of Tourism who answered the question in the Lok Sabha.
Swadesh Darshan: A scheme by the Ministry of Tourism to develop tourism-related infrastructure and facilities at various destinations.
National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive PRASHAD: A scheme by the Ministry of Tourism for the development of tourism infrastructure.
Chhattisgarh: A state in India, which is a focus of tourism promotion and development efforts mentioned in the document.
Kawardha Bhoramdeo Corridor, Kabirdham District, Chhattisgarh: A tourism destination undergoing development as part of the Swadesh Darshan scheme.
Maa Bamleshwari Devi Temple, Dongargarh, Rajnandgaon District, Chhattisgarh: A religious site in Chhattisgarh developed under the PRASHAD Scheme.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF TOURISM
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO.†1166
ANSWERED ON 28.07.2025
NATIONAL TOURISM ADVISORY COUNCIL
†1166. SHRI BRIJMOHAN AGRAWAL:
Will the Minister of TOURISM be pleased to state:
(a) the details of the National Tourism Advisory Council and the major
recommendations made by the Council during its last five
meetings;
(b) whether any National Integrated Digital Platform for promotion of
Guest Houses/Tourist Accommodation across all States and Union
Territories has been recommended by the Council, if so, the details
thereof along with the action taken thereon;
(c) the details of the budget allocation for promoting tourism in the
country during the current financial year including Chhattisgarh,
State/UT-wise; and
(d) the details of the schemes approved during the last eleven years
along with pending projects of Chhattisgarh?
ANSWER
THE MINISTER OF TOURISM (SHRI GAJENDRA SINGH SHEKHAWAT)
(a) & (b): The National Tourism Advisory Council (NTAC) functions as a
‘Think Tank’ of the Ministry of Tourism under the chairpersonship of the
Hon’ble Minister of Tourism. The Council comprises representatives from
key Central Ministries, individual experts in the field of travel and
tourism management, and ex-officio members from leading industry
associations.
The key recommendations emerging from the last five meetings of the
National Tourism Advisory Council include promoting spiritual, religious,
and heritage tourism; strengthening MICE tourism; and developing
additional tourism circuits with improved air and rail connectivity to
lesser-known destinations. The Council also emphasized the need to
boost adventure tourism through infrastructure development and safetystandards, and suggested measures to increase international air seat
capacity to enhance inbound tourism. However, no specific
recommendation has been made by the council on the National
Integrated Digital Platform for promotion of Guest Houses/Tourist
Accommodation across all States and UTs.
(c): Ministry extends financial support to State Governments and Union
Territories (UTs) for promotion of tourism including Chhattisgarh under
its schemes of Domestic Promotion & Publicity including Hospitality
(DPPH). The allocation under the Domestic Promotion and Publicity
including Hospitality (DPPH) scheme for the current financial year is
₹136.90 crore. State/UT wise budget allocation are not made by the
Ministry.
(d): The Ministry of Tourism under the schemes of ‘Swadesh Darshan’,
National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage
Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD)’ and ‘Assistance to Central Agencies for
Tourism Infrastructure Development’ provides financial assistance to
State Governments/Union Territory Administrations/Central Agencies for
the development of tourism related infrastructure and facilities at
various tourism destinations in the country.
Ministry has revamped Swadesh Darshan Scheme as Swadesh Darshan
2.0 (SD2.0) with the objective to develop sustainable and responsible
destinations following a destination centric approach.
Under the Special Assistance to States/Union Territories for Capital
Investment (SASCI) Scheme of Department of Expenditure, Ministry of
Finance, the operational guidelines for Development of Iconic Tourist
Centres to Global Scale were issued by the Ministry of Tourism. In line
with the guidelines, Government of India has approved 40 Projects worth
₹3295.76 Crore for development of lesser-known Tourism sites in 23
States, across the country.
Details of funds sanctioned under the above-mentioned schemes in the
State of Chhattisgarh are at Annexure.
********ANNEXURE
STATEMENT IN REPLY TO PART (d) OF LOK SABHA UNSTARRED
QUESTION NO.†1166 ANSWERED ON 28.07.2025 REGARDING NATIONAL
TOURISM ADVISORY COUNCIL RAISED BY SHRI BRIJMOHAN AGRAWAL.
The projects sanctioned under Swadesh Darshan scheme in
Chhattisgarh: -
S. Circuit / Name of the Project Amount Status
No. Sanction Sanctioned
Year (₹ Crore)
1. Tribal Development of Jashpur- 96.10 Completed
Circuit Kunkuri- Mainpat- Kamleshpur -
Maheshpur -Kurdar -
2015-16 Sarodhadadar- Gangrel-
Kondagaon– Nathiyanawagaon-
Jagdalpur- Chitrakoot- Tirthgarh
List of sanctioned projects under Swadesh Darshan 2.0.
S. Year of Destination Name of the Sanctioned Status
no Sanction Experience Cost
(₹ Crore)
1. 2024-25 Kawardha Bhoramdeo Corridor 145.99 Ongoing
Development,
Kabirdham District
Challenge Based Destination Development (CBDD), a sub-scheme of
Swadesh Darshan scheme.
S Year of Destination Category Sanctioned Status
no Sanction Cost
(₹ Lakh)
1. 2024-25 Mayali Ecotourism and 996.97 Ongoing
Bagicha Amrit Dharohar
SitesSpecial Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI Scheme)-
Development of Iconic Tourist Centres to Global Scale.
S. Year of Name of the Project Sanctioned Status
No. Sanction Cost
(₹ Crore)
1. 2024-25 Development of Chitrotpala Film 95.79 Ongoing
City in Raipur
2. 2024-25 Development of Tribal & Cultural 51.87 Ongoing
Convention Centre in Raipur
Projects sanctioned under PRASHAD Scheme
Sanction Status
S. Sanction
Project Name Amount
No. Year
(₹ Crore)
1. 2020-21 Development of Maa 48.44 Completed
Bamleshwari Devi Temple,
Dongargarh, Rajnandgaon
District, Chhattisgarh
********