Budget 2016: Tourism gets 70% hike

NEW DELHI: The tourism ministry got 70 per cent hike in the Union budget with an allocation of Rs 1,590 crore, to focus on infrastructure development and promotion and publicity initiatives.

The Budget 2016-17, presented by finance minister Arun Jaitley in Parliament, earmarked Rs 1,500 crore under plan and Rs 90 crore under non-plan heads.

As per the revised estimates, Rs 932 crore was given to the ministry in 2015-16.

For 2016-17, the government allocated Rs 900 crore for infrastructure development with over Rs 700 crore for Swadesh Darshan scheme and Rs 100 crore for PRASAD scheme.

Under Swadesh Darshan scheme, theme-based tourism circuits have been identified for infrastructure development across the country, while PRASAD's (national mission on pilgrimage rejuvenation and spiritual augmentation drive) objective is to augment religious and spiritual tourism in the country.

The government has also allocated about Rs 413 crore for promotion and publicity activities in India and abroad, including market development assistance, to woo tourists.

Among other allocations, the government has earnmarked an amount of Rs 160 crore for training and skill development in the tourism sector.