Centre gives INR 15.7 crore for Colva beach, INR 24 crore for Porvorim creek – ET TravelWorld

The Union ministry of tourism has informed Goa that while the Centre may fund and promote tourism destinations, the responsibility for “promotion and development of tourism is primarily the responsibility” lies with the state.

In response to a query by Rajya Sabha MP Sadanand Tanavade in Parliament about Centre’s initiatives and measures to promote tourism, Union tourism minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat stated that the Centre has provided INR 39 crore to the state under the Swadesh 2.0 scheme. This includes INR 24 crore for the Porvorim Creek Experience and INR 15.6 crore for the Colva Beach Experience.

“The ministry of tourism has also been providing financial assistance to state govts and union territory administrations, including the state of Goa, for organising fairs and festivals and tourism-related events under its domestic promotion and publicity including hospitality (DPPH) scheme,” said Shekhawat. Shekhawat also appeared to nudge the state to explore alternate sources to finance the creation of facilities for the tourism sector.

“Public-private partnerships (PPPs) and foreign investment play a key role in the tourism industry of Goa. The projects under Swadesh and PRASHAD scheme are 100 per cent financed by govt of India. However the schemes encourage state govts and Union territories for operation and maintenance of assets created through public-private partnership,” said Shekhawat.

“100 percent FDI is allowed in tourism construction projects including the development of hotels, resorts, and recreational facilities,” Shekhawat added. In Oct, the minister of state for finance, Pankaj Chaudhary, informed South Goa MP Capt. Fernandes (retd) that “there was transfer of substantial resources to the state from the Union govt for meeting financial needs of the state.”