Context: Public Accounts Committee slammed the Union Tourism ministry for poor implementation of its flagship scheme — Swadesh Darshan — launched in 2014-15. The audit report of the Comptroller and Auditor General of India had highlighted serious lapses in the formulation and execution of Swadesh Darshan Scheme.
Relevance of the Topic Prelims : Swadesh Darshan Scheme, Swadesh Darshan Scheme 2.0, Public Accounts Committee.
Key Issues identified by CAG Audit Report
- The government had not carried out feasibility studies before launching the scheme.
- The government has exceeded the sanctioned amount due to poor planning.
- Approvals were given without Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) and there had been no formal mechanism for evaluation and approval.
- Many projects remained incomplete or were non-functional. E.g., Kanwaria route in Bihar, Tribal circuit in Telangana, and Sree Narayana Guru Ashram in Kerala.
Swadesh Darshan Scheme
- Launched in: 2014-15 by the Ministry of Tourism.
- Aim: To promote, develop and harness the potential of tourism in India through integrated development of theme-based tourist circuits.
- 15 theme-based circuits have been identified for development.
- Central Sector Scheme (100% funded by Central government).
- Financial assistance is provided to State Governments, UT Administrations, and Central Agencies for tourism infrastructure development.
- State/UT governments responsible for Operation & Maintenance (O&M) of sanctioned projects.
Swadesh Darshan Scheme 2.0
- The Ministry of Tourism revamped the Swadesh Darshan Scheme in 2022.
- Aim: To develop sustainable and responsible destinations following a tourist & destination-centric approach.
- Strategic Objectives:
- Enhance the contribution of tourism to local economies.
- Create jobs including self-employment for local communities.
- Enhance the skills of local youth in tourism and hospitality.
- Increase private-sector investment in tourism and hospitality.
- Preserve and enhance the local cultural and natural resources.
Public Account Committee (PAC)
- PAC is one of the three financial committees of the Parliament (Estimates Committee and the Committee on Public Undertaking).
- Set up first in 1921, under the Government of India Act of 1919.
- At present, it consists of 22 members (15 from Lok Sabha; 7 from Rajya Sabha).
- The members are elected by the Parliament every year from amongst its members, according to the principle of proportional representation by means of the single transferable vote. Thus, all parties get due representation in it.
- Term of office of the members: One year.
- A Minister cannot be elected as a member of the committee.
- The Chairman of the committee is appointed from amongst its members by the Speaker. As per convention, the chairman is selected invariably from the Opposition.
Main Functions
- Audit government spending: Reviews reports from the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) on government expenditure.
- Ensure financial discipline: Checks if public money is spent as per parliamentary approval. Identifies cases of misuse, waste, or fraud in public funds.
- Recommend corrective measures: Suggests policy changes to improve financial management.
- Examine revenue collection: Reviews tax collection and other government earnings.