PRASAD SCHEME - GOVERNMENT SCHEME
News: President
inaugurates ‘PRASAD’ project to create a slew of facilities at Srisailam
What's in the news?
● President
Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the 'PRASAD' project at the tourism facilitation
centre in the pilgrim town of Srisailam in Andhra Pradesh on December 26.
PRASAD Scheme:
● The
Government of India launched the PRASAD scheme in the year 2014-2015 under the Ministry of Tourism.
● The
full form of the PRASAD scheme is ‘Pilgrimage
Rejuvenation And Spiritual Augmentation Drive’.
Aim:
● The
PRASAD scheme aims at paving the way for the development and promotion of religious tourism in India.
Objectives:
● Harness
pilgrimage tourism for its direct and multiplier effect upon employment generation and economic
development.
● Enhance
tourist attractiveness in a sustainable manner by developing world class
infrastructure in the religious destinations.
● It
also seeks to promote local art, culture, handicraft, cuisine, etc.
Features:
● This
scheme focuses on developing and identifying pilgrimage sites across India for
enriching the religious tourism experience.
● It
aims to integrate pilgrimage destinations in a prioritized, planned and
sustainable manner to provide a complete religious tourism experience.
Infrastructure:
Infrastructure
development under this scheme includes
● Development of entry
points (road, rail and water transport), last
mile connectivity, basic tourism facilities like Information/interpretation
centres, ATM/ money exchange.
● Development of
eco-friendly modes of transport, lighting and
illumination with renewable energy sources, drinking water, parking, toilets,
waiting rooms, first aid centers, craft bazaars/haats/souvenir shops/cafeteria,
rain shelters, telecom facilities, internet connectivity etc.
Funding:
● Under it, the Ministry of
Tourism provides Central Financial Assistance (CFA) to State Governments for
promoting tourism at identified destinations.
● For
components within public funding under this scheme, the Central Government will
provide 100% funds. For improved sustainability of the project, it also seeks
to involve Public Private Partnership (PPP)
and Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)
as well.