Swadesh Darshan Scheme

Why is in news? Supreme Court allows construction of Convention Centre in Patnitop

The Supreme Court has allowed Patnitop Development Authority (PDA) to carry out construction work for the much-awaited Convention Centre at the hill station, Patnitop in Udhampur district of Jammu division.

AIR Correspondent reports that with the requisite signal from the Apex Court, the establishment of the Convention Centre at Patnitop will be a reality soon.

The Convention Centre was conceived and sanctioned as part of the project titled “Integrated Development of Mantalai – Sudhmahadev - Patnitop” under the Himalayan Circuit Theme, Swadesh Darshan Scheme of the Ministry of Tourism and the Prime Minister’s Development Package with an objective to harness and boost the tourism potential of the Patnitop tourist circuit.

Swadesh Darshan Scheme:

Swadesh Darshan Scheme is a Central Sector scheme launched in 2014-15 by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, for the integrated development of theme-based tourist circuits.

Under the scheme, 15 thematic circuits have been identified for development.

The scheme aims to promote, develop and harness the potential of tourism in India.

Under the Swadesh Darshan scheme, the Ministry of Tourism provides Central Financial Assistance – CFA to State Governments, Union Territory Administrations for the infrastructure development of circuits.

This scheme is envisioned to synergise with other schemes like Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, Skill India, Make in India etc. with the idea of positioning the tourism sector as a major engine for job creation, the driving force for economic growth, building synergy with various sectors to enable tourism to realise its potential.

The ministry has revamped its Swadesh Darshan scheme as Swadesh Darshan 2.0 (SD2.0) for development of sustainable and responsible tourist destinations.

The objective of the Swadesh Darshan 2.0 scheme, envisage increase in private sector investment in tourism & hospitality.

It may help in increasing Public Private Partnerships (PPP) in the field of tourism and operation and maintenance of the created assets under the scheme.

The revamped scheme seeks to enhance the contribution of tourism to local economies.

It aims to create jobs including self-employment for local communities, to enhance the skills of local youth in tourism and hospitality, to increase private sector investment in tourism and hospitality and to preserve and enhance local cultural and natural resources.