Chamundi Hills Development under PRASHAD Scheme
Project Details:
- Location: Chamundi Hills, Mysuru, Karnataka.
- Scheme: Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive (PRASHAD).
- Purpose: To develop sustainable religious tourism by enhancing facilities for devotees and tourists.
Other PRASHAD Sites in Karnataka:
- Sri Renuka Yellamma Temple – Saundatti, Belagavi
- Paapnaash Shiv Temple – Bidar
Funding:
- Total Project Cost: ₹108 crore
- Central Government (PRASHAD): ₹48 crore
- State Government: ₹60 crore (additional funds approved)
Other Development under Swadesh Darshan 2.0:
- Allocated Funds: ₹23 crore
- Components:
- Tonga Ride Heritage Experience Zone
- Ecological Experience Zone
Overview: PRASHAD Scheme (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Heritage Augmentation Drive)
Launched: 2014
Ministry: Ministry of Tourism, Government of India
Objectives:
- Holistic development of identified pilgrimage and heritage destinations.
- Promote sustainable religious tourism by integrating spirituality with modern amenities.
- 100% centrally funded scheme for selected projects.
Examples of PRASHAD Sites Across India:
- Kedarnath (Uttarakhand)
- Amritsar (Punjab)
- Varanasi (Uttar Pradesh)
- Puri (Odisha)
Kamakhya (Assam)
Vay Vandana Scheme – Status in Karnataka
Background:
- Scheme Name: Ayushman Bharat Vay Vandana (ABVV)
- Target Group: Senior citizens aged 70 years and above
- Linked to: Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY)
Current Status in Karnataka:
- Free treatment still not implemented under ABVV.
- State is reluctant to roll out the scheme due to lack of financial clarity from the Centre.
Inter-Government Correspondence:
- State Health Dept requested ₹36.58 crore (as per 60:40 sharing formula).
Funding Dispute:
Cost Estimates & Sharing Ratio:
- AB-ArK Total Beneficiaries:12 crore families in Karnataka.
- SECC-Identified (tagged) Families: 69 lakh (covered by Centre)
- Remaining (untagged) Families: 43 lakh (covered by State)
- Claim: Actual sharing is 25:75, not 60:40 in practice.
Premium Rates Proposed by NHA:
Category | Annual Support by Centre | Coverage |
Tagged families | ₹75.7 per family | Only top-up wallet after primary exhaustion |
Untagged families | ₹1,052 per family | New beneficiaries under ABVV |
- Total Annual Cost Estimated by Karnataka for ABVV: ₹68.98 crore
Karnataka’s Demand from Centre (60% share): ₹36.58 crore
