Centre approved 42 tourism projects in 3 yrs

Ravi S Singh

Tribune News Service

New Delhi, August 4

The Union Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned 42 projects for Jammu and Kashmir during 2012-15.

Union Tourism Minister Mahesh Sharma informed the Lok Sabha that while two projects were sanctioned in the financial year 2014-15, 15 were sanctioned in 2013-14 and 25 projects were sanctioned in 2012-13.

The total amount sanctioned for the projects was Rs 96 crore.

While four of the projects have been completed, work on 38, including two sanctioned in 2014-15, is in progress.

The Union Minister informed the House that the Ministry provided financial assistance to the state government and Union Territory Administrations for various tourism projects. This was subject to availability of funds, inter see priority, liquidation of pending utilisation certificates against the funds released earlier and adherence to the relevant scheme guidelines.

Also, under the new plan schemes, Swadesh Darshan and National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive, consultation with the state government concerned and meetings of the Mission Directorate are held at regular intervals for consideration of the projects, Mahesh Sharma added.