Tourism ministry gets 87 proposals for central assistance under SASCI scheme

States and union territories have submitted 87 project proposals to the tourism ministry for help below the SASCI (Particular Help to States for Capital Investments) scheme, which has been prolonged to the tourism sector for the primary time this 12 months.

Below this scheme, long-term interest-free loans will probably be supplied to states for 50 years to develop iconic tourist centres and for branding and marketing them at world scale. The method of evaluating these initiatives is ongoing, officers accustomed to the matter informed ET.

“The SASCI scheme has been operational for different sectors for the previous couple of years now. This 12 months, for the primary time, Rs 2,000 crore have been earmarked for tourism, and we had made draft tips which the finance ministry has authorised,” an official accustomed to the matter stated. “These will probably be 50-year interest-free loans and will probably be within the nature of grants. The concept is that the initiatives must be developed shortly. March 31, 2026 is the date for a tough cease for the initiatives.”

Barring West Bengal, all states and union territories have submitted initiatives, he stated. “Every state is eligible for Rs 250 crore value of initiatives topic to the situation that every undertaking shouldn’t be greater than Rs 100 crore. We’ve got put it on a problem mode. We’ll assess initiatives from the purpose of connectivity, how they are going to enhance the vacationer expertise, and what number of jobs would they be capable to create,” the official added.

After analysis, the tourism ministry will submit an inventory of shortlisted initiatives to the Division of Expenditure subsequent month.

“When you map the infrastructure outlay aspect for the Ministry of Tourism, it’s about Rs 2,000 crore. This extra Rs 2,000 crore is coming over and above that for the primary time. The timelines for completion are actually tight. This can be a good technique to kickstart infrastructure development within the states for creating tourism, stated a authorities official. “If this quantity retains coming and if tourism turns into a key precedence space, we will see appreciable progress,” he added.As per the operational tips for states, the scheme would encourage harnessing of “greatest at school” experience for design and growth of vacationer experiences at par with worldwide requirements. State governments would supply land for the undertaking, free from encumbrances and freed from value. The central authorities will launch the funds below this scheme as much as March 31, 2026, whereas states will probably be allowed to make use of the funds launched past that date. Any remaining liabilities have to be met from state authorities budgets.