New Delhi:  Minister of Tourism G Kishan Reddy appreciated  Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for earmarking an additional amount of INR 2400 crores for the Ministry of Tourism in the Union Budget 2022-23. 

"I am very grateful to say that over and above this, Hon’ble Finance Minister has earmarked an additional amount of INR 2400 crores for the Ministry of Tourism. This budget is 18.42  per cent higher than 2021-22 and will be utilized by the Ministry for developing tourism infrastructure, marketing and promotion, and capacity building," said Kishan Reddy. 

Out of the INR 2400 crores, INR 1644 crores has been earmarked for the development of tourism infrastructure, including an outlay of INR 1181.30 crore for the Swadesh Darshan Scheme. Swadesh Darshan Scheme is a flagship scheme of the Ministry of Tourism under which 76 projects in 13 thematic circuits have been sanctioned by the Ministry. 

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Fifty-five new destinations are being planned to be developed under the Swadesh Darshan scheme and the Ministry will continue to have its focus on the Northeast, Himalayan region, Tribal region etc.

Another flagship scheme of the Ministry, the PRASHAD Scheme aims for the holistic development of selected pilgrimage destinations in the country. And the amount of INR 235 crores has been allocated for the PRASHAD Scheme.  A total of 37 projects have been sanctioned under PRASHAD Scheme, of which 17 projects have been completed. 

The Ministry of Tourism has further allocated INR 227 crore for the North-Eastern States for the year 2022-23; INR 98 crores is earmarked under the Tribal Sub Plan for the creation of tourism infrastructure in the tribal areas.