Rajasthan State PCS

• 06 Dec 2022

Rajasthan Rural Tourism Scheme

Why In News?

• On December 5, 2022, the 'Rajasthan Rural Tourism Scheme' announced by the state government to promote tourism in rural areas has been implemented. Through the scheme, tourism units showcasing the life, art culture and heritage of villages will be promoted by the state government.

Key Points

• It is known that Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot had announced 'Rajasthan Rural Tourism Scheme' in the state budget to promote tourism in rural areas.
• Through the scheme, tourism units will be established in rural areas to promote local folk art and preserve handicrafts. This will also provide employment opportunities for local people in rural areas.
• Benefits payable to rural tourism units under 'Rajasthan Rural Tourism Scheme’
  • Stamp duty will be exempted by 100 percent. Initially, 25 percent stamp duty will be payable, reimbursement will be done on submission of certificate of commencement of tourism unit.
  • 100 percent reimbursement of SGST payable and deposited will be done for 10 years.
  • Under the 'Chief Minister Small Industries Promotion Scheme', 9 percent interest subsidy will be given instead of 8 percent on loans up to Rs 25 lakh.
  • Rural tourism units will not require land conversion and building plan approval.
  • Promotion of rural tourism in the area under the Forest Department will be done as per the provisions of the State Eco Tourism Policy, 2021 .
  • Local folk artists and handicraftsmen and rural startups will be given priority in approval and benefits payable.
• Features of 'Rajasthan Rural Tourism Scheme'
  • Rural Guest Houses: Guest houses will be registered in rural areas, which will have 6-10 rooms. These rooms will be available on rent for tourists to stay. There will also be arrangements for food for tourists in the guest house.
  • Agriculture Tourism Unit: The approved tourism unit on agricultural land will be set up on a minimum of 2,000 square meters and a maximum of 2 hectares. In 90 percent of this, rural environment will be provided to tourists through activities like agriculture and horticulture work, camel farm, horse farm, bird and livestock, crop sowing, handicrafts, gardens etc.
  • Camping site: Camping sites can be set up on a minimum of 1,000 square meters and a maximum of one hectare on agricultural land. Temporary accommodation will be arranged in tents on 10 percent of this. The remaining part will have activities like camel farm, horse farm, livestock, garden etc.
  • Caravan Park: A caravan park can be set up on a minimum of 1,000 square meters and a maximum of 1 hectare on agricultural land. On this, basic facilities for parking of guests' vehicles will be developed.
  • Home Stay (Paying Guest House): The home stay (Paying Guest House) scheme issued earlier by the Tourism Department is also applicable in rural areas. Under this, accommodation facility will be provided to tourists up to 5 rooms in their own accommodation by the housing owner.
• It is noteworthy that under this scheme, the project approval and registration of rural guest house, Agri-tourism unit, camping site, caravan park will be done by the concerned tourist reception center of the tourism department. Along with this, it will be necessary for rural tourism units to have 15 feet wide road.

Rajivika’s MoU with India Post Payment Bank and Fino Payment Bank

Why In News?

• On December 5, 2022, under the mission 'One GP-One BC' project by the Rajasthan Rural Livelihood Development Council (Rajivika), India Post Payment to engage trained and IIBF certified women of self-help groups as BC Sakhi in 17 districts of the state. MoU was signed with Bank and Fino Payment Bank.

Key Points

• Apart from this, on November 25, 2022, an MoU was signed with 'Pay-Near Buy' fintech agency to install BC Sakhi in 8 districts. Thus far, MoU has been signed for setting up BC Sakhi in 25 districts and MoU will be signed with Airtel Payment Bank for the remaining 8 districts very soon.
• Along with this, 4825 BC Sakhi will be installed along with Bank of Baroda, Rajasthan Kshetriya Gramin Bank, Rajasthan Marudhara Gramin Bank, ICICI Bank and IDFC Banks to install 4825 BC Sakhi on State Level Women's Equality Day event on August 25, 2022. MoU has been done for this.
• It is notable that the BC Sakhi set up through various banks are providing free banking services to the residents of rural areas and families of self-help groups in the concerned Gram Panchayat. Due to this they are getting the benefit of doorstep banking facilities. Also, by becoming a good source of income for these BC friends, their empowerment, self-reliance and banking skills are increasing.
• Doorstep banking services mainly include opening of savings account, withdrawal of money, deposit of money as well as other products of banking services like enrolment in insurance and pension schemes along with pension disbursement, DBT money withdrawal facility. Huh.