MP Arora urges Centre to allocate more funds for promotion of tourism in Punjab

Ludhiana, March 10, 2023: Festivals of Punjab have received financial assistance of Rs.1 crore 70 lakh from the Union Ministry of Tourism during the last five years (from FY 2017-18 to 2021-22), according to Union Minister of Tourism G Kishan Reddy.

Reddy stated this fact in reply to a question asked about promotion of tourism in Punjab by AAP’s MP (Rajya Sabha) Sanjeev Arora from Ludhiana in the recently held session of Rajya Sabha.  

Giving this information, Arora said he had asked the question about the trend of fund devolution to promote and enhance tourism in the State of Punjab. In reply, the Union Minister provided the list of festivals in Punjab, which have received financial assistance from Union Ministry of Tourism, during the last five years. The festivals given financial assistance by the Centre are as under: Shree Baba Harivallabh Sangeet Samelan, Jalandhar; Hola Mohalla at Anandpur Sahib; Sufi Festival and Patiala Heritage Festival. 

Arora also asked another question about the efforts made to promote and diversify the tourism circuits in Punjab. In reply, the Union Minister stated that the Union Ministry of Tourism, also provides financial assistance under the Central Sector Schemes of ‘Swadesh Darshan’ and `PRASHAD’ (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive) for integrated development of theme-based tourist circuits across the country and development of amenities at pilgrimage sites, respectively. He also provided details of the projects sanctioned to the State of Punjab under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme. Under this scheme, Rs.94.51 Crores financial assistance was given to Punjab for Heritage Circuit Development of Anandpur Sahib - Fatehgarh Sahib - Chamkaur Sahib - Ferozepur - Amritsar - Khatkar Kalan – Kalanour – Patiala during 2018-19.

It was further stated that the Union Ministry of Tourism has now revamped its scheme of Swadesh Darshan as Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD 2.0) for development of sustainable and responsible tourism destination and has identified Amritsar and Kapurthala in Punjab for development under SD 2.0. Further, the Union Minister informed that the projects namely Development of Karuna Sagar Valmiki Sthal at Amritsar and Development of Chamkaur Sahib at Ropar (Punjab) were sanctioned under PRASHAD and giving financial assistance of Rs.37.97 Crores. 

Arora said Punjab is a State with enormous tourism potential, adding, that tourism contributes significantly to the growth of states. Adding, he said, “Even Punjab Government under the able leadership of Hon’ble Chief Minister Sh Bhagwant Mann & Hon’ble Minister for tourism Gagan Anmol Maan desires to make Punjab into a sought-after tourist destination”, adding that efforts have already started to develop places with high tourism potential and attract private investment. He said the state government would be concentrating mainly on eco-tourism, rural tourism, cultural and religious tourism. Further, he said recognizing the huge potential of tourism in Birs and Forests of Punjab, the state government proposes to develop all Birs and Forests for eco-tourism which may prove to be a great source of revenue for the state. Also water replated Sports are being given importance and in near future where ever possible in and around rivers these sports will be implemented to enhance tourism. 

He added that at the same time, there is a dire need that the Centre should allocate more funds for further promotion of tourism of Punjab and include more rural and urban places of tourist importance & festivals of Punjab in the list of festivals which are allocated financial assistance by the Union Ministry of Tourism.