Interest-Free Loans For Tourism Development
Source: The Hindu
GS II: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation
Overview
- News in Brief
- What is the aim of the Scheme?
- Important Scheme for Tourism
Why in the News?
The Centre has approved interest-free loans worth ₹3,295 crore to States for the development of tourism sites and infrastructure.
News in Brief
- As part of this initiative, 40 new projects have been identified across 23 States.
- Through this initiative, the Union Tourism Ministry has also encouraged States to develop lesser-known tourist destinations, including Bateshwar in Uttar Pradesh, Ponda in Goa, Gandikota in Andhra Pradesh and Porbandar in Gujarat.
- The loans were cleared by the Union Finance Ministry earlier this week.
- As per the directives of the Department of Expenditure, the Ministry of Tourism has issued operational guidelines for Special Assistance to States for Capital Investment (SASCI) for the development of iconic tourist centres.
What is the aim of the Scheme?
- This scheme aims to infuse long-term interest-free loans for a period of 50 years to States.
- Its aim is to comprehensively develop iconic tourist centres in the country as well as brand and market them at a global scale.
- By infusing capital investment in the form of projects, the scheme further envisages the growth of the local economy and the creation of employment opportunities through sustainable tourism projects.
- The projects were finalised after extensive regional consultations with State governments.
- The States have been given a timeline of two years for completing the projects.
Important Scheme for Tourism
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- Swadesh Darshan
- Incredible India Content Hub
- Marketing Development Assistance (MDA) Scheme
- Market Research Professional Services Scheme
- Dekho Apna Desh
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