category Regional, ludhiana , , tags Regional, ludhiana , , DW BUREAU Ludhiana Festivals of Punjab have received financial assistance of Rs.1 crore 70 lakh from the Union Ministry of Tourism during the last five years (from FY 2017-18 to 2021-22), according to Union Minister of Tourism G Kishan Reddy. Reddy stated this fact in reply to a question asked about promotion of tourism in Punjab by AAP s MP (Rajya Sabha) Sanjeev Arora from Ludhiana in the recently held session of Rajya Sabha. Giving this information, Arora said he had asked the question about the trend of fund devolution to promote and enhance tourism in the State of Punjab. In reply, the Union Minister provided the list of festivals in Punjab, which have received financial assistance from Union Ministry of Tourism, during the last five years. The festivals given financial assistance by the Centre are as under: Shree Baba Harivallabh Sangeet Samelan, Jalandhar; Hola Mohalla at Anandpur Sahib; Sufi Festival and Patiala Heritage Festival. Arora also asked another question about the efforts made to promote and diversify the tourism circuits in Punjab. In reply, the Union Minister stated that the Union Ministry of Tourism, also provides financial assistance under the Central Sector Schemes of Swadesh Darshan and PRASHAD (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive) for integrated development of theme-based tourist circuits across the country and development of amenities at pilgrimage sites, respectively. He also provided details of the projects sanctioned to the State of Punjab under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme. Under this scheme, Rs.94.51 Crores financial assistance was given to Punjab for Heritage Circuit Development of Anandpur Sahib - Fatehgarh Sahib - Chamkaur Sahib - Ferozepur - Amritsar - Khatkar Kalan Kalanour Patiala during 2018-19. (editor dailyworld.in)