The Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Culture & Tourism Shripad Yesso Naik has said that the Ministry of Tourism (MoT) provides Central Financial Assistance (CFA) under the Centrally sponsored Scheme viz. Product/Infrastructure Development for Destination and Circuits (PIDDC). The tourism projects to be funded by MOT are decided in consultation with the State Governments/Union Territory Administrations in prioritisation meetings held every year with them, as per the Scheme Guidelines, inter-se priority and subject to availability of funds. The tourism projects include important tourist places and locations of religious cultural, historical and archaeological significances in the country including those in Madhya Pradesh.
In a written reply in the Lok Sabha Naik said that the Ministry promotes the rich culture and heritage of the country through tourism. Hence its initiatives do not affect the traditions and values adversely in the pilgrim centers. The project timeline for completion of each such project is decided in consultation with the concerned State/UT Govt. at the time of sanction of the project, which generally does not exceed 36 months and varies from project to project.
Naik has said that development of infrastructure including pilgrim centers is primarily the responsibility of the State Governments/Union Territory (UT) Administrations. The Ministry of Tourism provides Central Financial Assistance to States/UTs for tourism projects, including those relating to pilgrim centres, which are prioritised every year based on discussions with them, subject to availability of funds, inter-se priority and adherence to the scheme guidelines.
