Latest news with #SwadeshDarshanScheme
Time of India
2 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
CAG flays Goa Tourism for profligacy, poor execution
Panaji: The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) has criticised Goa Tourism Development Corporation (GTDC) for serious lapses, wasteful expenditure, and poor execution in projects sanctioned under the Centre's flagship Swadesh Darshan Scheme. It found violations of guidelines, procurement of equipment before sites were ready, and failure to maintain assets, undermining the scheme's goal of boosting tourist infrastructure. The Swadesh Darshan Scheme, launched in 2015 by the Union tourism ministry, allocated Rs 199.3 crore to Goa for developing two coastal circuits. GTDC received just under Rs 100 crore for nine projects in circuit-I — covering Sinquerim-Baga, Anjuna-Vagator, Morjim-Keri, Aguada Fort, and Aguada jail — and Rs 99.3 crore for 18 projects in circuit-II. The CAG's audit of coastal circuit-I projects revealed that detailed project reports often ignored scheme guidelines and suffered from defective planning. According to the CAG report, which was tabled in the House, GTDC took up projects on private land without obtaining permission. In some cases, poor coordination with local panchayats forced changes mid-way, such as the relocation of the Aguada helipad. One of the most glaring findings was the expenditure for 10 toilet blocks that were to be built at a total cost of Rs 14.6 crore. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Walmart Photos Which Are Not For Everyone Old Money Style Undo However, just five were built after spending Rs 14.2 crore. The cost of each toilet block worked out to Rs 2.6 crore. GTDC spent Rs 3.9 crore on sound and light show equipment meant for Aguada jail, but since the renovations were incomplete, it shifted the equipment to Baga beach in 2018 and handed it to a private agency without a formal agreement. When the Aguada jail works were eventually taken up, GTDC once again bought similar equipment, spending Rs 3.3 crore more. The audit flagged ineffective operation and maintenance, with assets lying abandoned, deteriorating, or missing. In multiple instances, buses and other assets were procured before the sites were ready, leading to idle investments or diversion. Stay updated with the latest local news from your city on Times of India (TOI). Check upcoming bank holidays , public holidays , and current gold rates and silver prices in your area. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Raksha Bandhan wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
30-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Naidu to lay foundation for grand Gandikota tourism project
Vijayawada: Andhra Pradesh is gearing up to boost tourism and attract large-scale investments through key initiatives unveiled by state tourism, culture, and cinematography minister Kandula Durgesh on Wednesday. Speaking to the media at Nidadavolu, minister outlined the govt's upcoming plans to transform the tourism sector and draw in industrial investments. On Friday, chief minister Chandrababu Naidu will lay the foundation stone for a prestigious 78-crore Gandikota tourism project in YSR Kadapa district, under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme in collaboration with the central govt. The event is scheduled to take place in the afternoon at Gandikota, following the conclusion of the pension distribution program in Jammalamadugu. Minister Durgesh emphasized that the project is part of the government's vision to revitalize tourism infrastructure in the region, showcasing Gandikota as a heritage and adventure tourism destination. Further, on Saturday and Sunday, Andhra Pradesh Tourism Development Corporation (APTDC) will organize a major tourism exhibition in Udaipur, Rajasthan. The exhibition aims to engage young entrepreneurs and industrialists from northern states and invite them to invest in Andhra Pradesh's tourism sector. In addition, minister Durgesh announced that the state will host a major partnership summit in Visakhapatnam on November 14 and 15, marking the return of high-profile investment conclaves under the new TDP-led administration. The summit is expected to open doors for multi-sectoral investments, with a special focus on infrastructure, hospitality, and tourism. A cabinet sub-committee has been formed to oversee preparations for the summit. Minister Durgesh confirmed that minister Nara Lokesh has been appointed as the chairman of the committee, while he himself will serve as one of the key members. The summit will serve as a platform to showcase Andhra Pradesh's investor-friendly policies and attract both domestic and international investors. Durgesh noted that during Naidu's earlier tenure, the partnership summit was held annually, particularly in Visakhapatnam, and resulted in substantial investments as many enthusiastic entrepreneurs responded positively to the state's proactive approach. He also criticized the previous YSRCP govt, stating that during their five-year term, there was no consistent policy to promote investment or tourism, except for holding a solitary meeting that lacked follow-through. He affirmed that the current government, under CM Naidu and deputy CM Pawan Kalyan, is fully committed to reinvigorating the state's investment climate through sustained engagement and robust summits.
Time of India
21-07-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Tourism project completed in Odisha: Minister
1 2 Kendrapada: The ministry of tourism has completed the "Development of Gopalpur, Barkul, Satapada, and Tampara" project under the coastal circuit theme. This initiative, sanctioned in 2016-17 as part of the Swadesh Darshan Scheme (SD 1.0), has reached its physical completion, Union tourism minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat informed the Lok Sabha on Monday. Responding to a query from Kendrapada MP Baijayant Panda, Shekhawat revealed that the Swadesh Darshan Scheme has been revamped into Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD 2.0). This new phase aims to develop sustainable and responsible tourism destinations with a focus on a destination and tourist-centric approach. In collaboration with the Odisha State Government, Debrigarh, along with the special attraction of "Khinda Village", has been identified for development under SD 2.0. However, the detailed project report (DPR) for this initiative is yet to be received. The ministry of tourism emphasises the development of tourism infrastructure that promotes local livelihoods and community participation, including the involvement of tribal communities. The projects sanctioned under the scheme are designed to create opportunities for skill development, self-employment, and engagement of local stakeholders, the minister added. Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like New Portable Cooler Instantly Cools Any Room (Must Try) AiraBreeze Learn More Undo by Taboola by Taboola While the development and promotion of tourist destinations and products are primarily the responsibility of the respective state government or Union Territory Administration, the ministry of tourism supports these efforts through its central sector scheme, Swadesh Darshan. This scheme provides financial assistance to state governments and UT Administrations, including Odisha, to enhance tourism infrastructure across the country.
Hindustan Times
17-05-2025
- Hindustan Times
National Green Tribunal halts ecotourism at Odisha's highest peak Deomali
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has halted ecotourism at Deomali, the highest peak in Odisha in the Koraput district, and ordered the state to secure clearance under the Forest Conservation Act, 1980, for structures built for it within three months or demolish them and restore the land. NGT's eastern zonal bench of Justice B Amit Sthalekar and Arun Kumar Verma said 10 cottages for tourists with dining halls and dormitories, and other constructions lacked permissions. 'If the required approval is not obtained within the stipulated time, erected shall be removed, and the area shall be restored to its original form. In any case, no diversion of the land in question shall be made for non-forestry purposes, and the respondents [state and the Union governments] shall ensure strict compliance with the Van (Sanrakshan Evam Samvardhan) Adhiniyam, 1980, read with the Forest Rights Act, 2006,' the bench said. The bench directed maintenance of a 1.5-2 hectare pine plantation. Deomali, a mountaintop tableland in the Eastern Ghats range, is 5,486 feet above sea level. The Wildlife Society of Orissa (WSO), a non-profit organisation, moved the NGT against the constructions, arguing they flouted sustainable development principles. Lawyer Sankar Prasad Pani, who represented WSO, said any non-forest activity in the area requires prior approval under the Forest Conservation Act, 1980. 'If the land is not a notified forest and is devoid of trees and vegetation, as is the stand taken, the DFO [divisional forest officer] would have no role in issuing a tender notice for civil works,' said Pani. The Koraput DFO submitted that the ecotourism project site does not fall within any notified forest block or recorded forest land as per the government records, and it is not identified as deemed forest. The NGT was unsatisfied with the submission and said the question arises as to why village level meetings were held for the formation of Van Surakhya Samiti if the state's stand is to be accepted. 'If the land in question was revenue land, the procedure as prescribed under the Forest Rights Act, 2006, would have had no application or necessity,' the bench said. The Deomali project is part of the Union government's Swadesh Darshan Scheme for infrastructure development to boost tourism. The tourism department has separately sanctioned ₹16 crore for the integrated development of the area. There is also a proposal for an ecotourism complex at an estimated cost of about ₹4.5 crore.
Time of India
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
Development of Karkala pilgrim centres planned
Udupi: Union minister of culture and tourism Gajendra Singh Shekhawat visited pilgrimage and tourist centres in Karkala, which will be developed by the central govt. The minister said: "We are committed to making the idea of 'Ek Bharath Shreshta Bharat' a reality through this. For this, all pilgrim centres and tourist spots also need to be developed similar to the way our economy is growing." Karkala MLA V Sunil Kumar said he met the minister in Delhi and sought support to develop pilgrim and tourism destinations in the region. "A masterplan has been prepared to develop these tourism destinations under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme of the central govt. The popular pilgrim centre of Bahubali at Anekere, the Jain Basadi of Varanga and Ramasamudra will be developed in two phases at an estimated cost of Rs 116 crore," he said. Further, on Operation Sindoor, the minister said the day India launched the attack was a proud day for the nation.
