The Odisha Government on Thursday urged the Centre to include Bhubaneswar under its National Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY).
Placing his demands at the meeting of the State Tourism Ministers here, Odisha Tourism and Culture minister Ashok Panda also urged the Centre to include Puri under the Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual Augmentation Drive (PRASAD) Yojana.
The Minister too pitched for inclusion of Odisha in the five proposed Buddhist circuits in the country. Panda also requested the Centre to release more financial assistance to the State for the Nabakalebar festival in Puri scheduled next year. The Bhubaneswar city is known for its famed festivities and cultural heritage all over the country.