The Union Ministry of Tourism has sanctioned Rs. 50 crores for the Nabakalebar Rath Yatra Festival in Odisha. Announcing this at a high level meeting of officials in Bhubaneswar, Mahesh Sharma, Union Minister of State for Tourism (Independent Charge), Culture (Independent Charge) and Civil Aviation, said the funds have been sanctioned under the ‘PRASAD’ scheme of the Ministry of Tourism. Dharmendra Pradhan, Union Petroleum Minister; Ashok Chandra Panda, Tourism and Culture Minister of Govt. of Orissa and Chief Secretary of Orissa were among those present at the meeting.
Sharma said that the Government is making all efforts to promote the rich cultural heritage of Odisha as well as the country. The Minister also disclosed that a museum is being set up by the Ministry of Culture at Lalitgiri. The state will be benefitted by the two circuits i.e. Budhist Circuit and Coastal Circuit under the new scheme of Swadesh Darshan, he added. Puri will also be developed under the HRIDAY sheme of Ministry of Urban Development, the Minister explained.
Sharma further added that Orissa will be projected on the international map through its campaigns. The Minister said that the Centre would be laying more focus on coastal circuit tourism. A three day international conference is being attended by the representatives of 20 countries situated in Indian Ocean Region.
