PRASAD Scheme : Objectives, Selection Criteria and Functioning

PRASAD Scheme is an acronym that stands for Pilgrimage Rejuvenation And Spirituality Augmentation Drive. This scheme was started by the Government of India under the Ministry of Tourism in the year 2014-2015. In October 2017, the name of this scheme was changed to National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD). This scheme was started to promote and develop religious tourism in India. In this article, we shall discuss the PRASAD scheme in detail.

Objectives of the PRASAD Scheme

PRASAD scheme which was launched in 2014 aims to identify the pilgrimage sites across India and develop them in order to promote religious tourism at these sites. The following are the major objectives of the PRASAD scheme:

• Sustainable, prioritized, and planned integration of pilgrimage sites to enhance the religious tourism experience of devotes and promote the growth of domestic tourism.
• Holistic development of pilgrimage sites with the cooperation of various stakeholders.
• Promote community-based development of the pilgrimage sites
• Enhance the infrastructure at pilgrimage sites to provide a world-class tourism experience at these sites.
• Promotion of local artists by promoting local handicrafts, culture, food, etc. to generate employment and a source of income for the artists.
• Make the best use of public expertise and public capital for the development of pilgrimage sites.

How PRASAD Scheme Work?

The sites chosen through PRASAD scheme are developed by the respective state and UT through specialised agencies. PRASAD scheme functions as follows:

• Mission Directorate has been set up by central government for implementation of PRASAD scheme. The main function of this body is to identify the pilgrimage sites in the states and UTs and help respective governments in implementation of projects under this scheme.
• A Central Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee looks into the proposals of Mission Directorate and sanctions them.
• A National Steering Committee reviews and monitors the project implementation and also provides the necessary guidance.
• The projects sanctioned under this scheme are 100% centrally funded.
• This scheme also makes the best of the funding from businesses under CSR and through Public Private Partnership Model.

Selection Criteria of PRASAD Scheme

PRASAD scheme is not applicable to all activities done at the identified pilgrimage sites. There are certain components that qualify under the PRASAD scheme. These are as follows:

• Infrastructure development:
  • Development of various modes of transport such as airways, railways, waterways and roadways.
  • Installing money exchange counters and ATM for local as well as foreign tourists
  • Provide service to repair vehicles in case of breakdown on the way and setting up petrol pumps.
  • Installing signboards and other information boards.
  • Enhancing the aesthetic beauty by installing lighting, fountains, shelters, fencing, landscaping, etc.
  • Improving water drainage, water supply, sewage, electricity supply
  • Conservation and repair of historic monuments and temples.
  • Improving communication by enhancing mobile and internet connectivity.
  • Setting up primary health care centres and first aid units.
  • Setting up of cloak rooms and lockers for tourists to safely keep their luggage.
• Skill Development, Capacity Building and Knowledge Management
  • Skill development programmes under various government initiatives such as PMKVY
  • Vocational Training in field of hospitality and tourist guides
• Enhancing various services that operate through Internet such as:
  • Mapping of tourist places and proper information on various online map applications and websites
  • Analysis of data of tourists and their experience through machine learning and AI
  • Use of technology for project implementation and management under PRASAD scheme

The following components do not classify under PRASAD scheme:

• Acquisition of land for development activities
• Management and rehabilitation of assets
• Investments by private bodies in different assets

Cities Identified Under PRASAD Scheme

Though India has a very rich heritage and number of monuments and pilgrimage sites are there in India, out of these all, following cities have been selected for PRASAD Scheme:

Site	State
Kedarnath	Uttarakhand
Mathura	Uttar Pradesh
Amritsar	Punjab
Gaya	Bihar
Varanasi	Uttar Pradesh
Ajmer	Rajasthan
Dwaraka	Gujarat
Kamakhya	Assam
Puri	Odisha
Kanchipuram	Tamil Nadu
Velankanni	Tamil Nadu
Amaravati	Andhra Pradesh

FAQs on PRASAD Scheme

1. When was PRASAD scheme launched?

PRASAD scheme was launched in 2014.

2. Under which ministry does PRASAD scheme comes?

PRASAD scheme comes under the Ministry of Tourism.

3. What is the new name of PRASAD scheme?

New name of PRASAD scheme is National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD).

4. Mention some infrastructure activities that are eligible for PRASAD scheme?

Some infrastructure activities that are eligible for PRASAD scheme are:

• Provide service to repair vehicles in case of breakdown on the way and setting up petrol pumps.
• Installing signboards and other information boards.
• Enhancing the aesthetic beauty by installing lighting, fountains, shelters, fencing, landscaping, etc.

5. A private firm purchased land in Kedarnath for hotel construction. Is it eligible for PRASAD scheme?

No, it is not eligible for PRASAD scheme as acquisition of land for development activities does not qualify under PRASAD scheme.

6. Who identifies the sites for PRASAD scheme?

Mission Directorate performs the function to identify sites for PRASAD scheme.

7. Who provides funding for PRASAD scheme projects?

Projects under PRASAD scheme are 100% centrally funded.

8. Which of the following sites does not come under PRASAD scheme:

1. Ujjain
2. Mathura
3. Kedarnath
4. Kanchipuram

Answer: Ujjain does not come under PRASAD scheme.