The Odisha Government’s expectation of sanction and funding for Spiritual Circuits, Buddhist Circuits and Rural Circuits in the State is yet to materialise.
The temples of Akhandalamani, Biraja, Sarala and Baladev Jew have been identified as a Spiritual Circuit. Two years ago, the State Government had approached the Union Ministry of Tourism (MoT) for funding to develop infrastructure facilities in the Spiritual Circuit. However, the MoT is yet to respond though the Ministry has been funding such circuits elsewhere for their development.
Even though the Buddhist Triangle in the State is attracting large numbers of tourists, the MoT is yet to include these places under the Swadesh Darshan scheme.
The Buddhist Triangle Ratnagiri-lalitgiri-Udayagiri, popularly known as the Diamond Triangle of Odisha, is now a hotspot of tourist attraction.
The Rock Edict-XII of Emperor Ashoka of the third Century BC found near Dhauli bears the testimony to the acceptance of Buddhism spread to rest of the world after Kalinga War from this very place. The Buddhist remains in the form of Chaityas, Stupas, Monasteries and the Relic Casket found here aptly establish this circuit at par with Nalanda and Bodhgaya.
The MoT has provided more than Rs 33 crore to Bihar for development of infrastructure of the Buddhist Circuit in Bodhgaya.
In view of this, Odisha deserves to be included in the list of Buddhist Circuits under the Swadesh Darshan scheme, for which the State Government has requested the MoT to include Dhauli-Ratnagiri-lalitgiri-Udayagiri-langudi as a Buddhist Circuit under the scheme.
Besides, the MoT has decided to promote rural tourism. Accordingly, the Ministry is funding development of tourism infrastructures in the rural areas. So, the Odisha Government has earmarked several zones as a Rural Circuits.
In Zone-I, Mayurbhanj-Baleswar-Keonjhar-Jajpur-Jagatsinghpur-Kendrapada-Cuttack-Dhenkanal has been recognised as a Rural Circuit. In Zone II, Khordha-Puri-Nayagarh-Ganjam has been identified as a Rural Circuit.
For development of infrastructure in both these zones, the State Government had in 2015 approached the Union Government to provide funds for infrastructure development.
After a lapse of three years, the MoT is yet to sanction any fund for the circuit whereas several Rural Circuits in neighbouring Andhra Pradesh, Telangana and West Bengal have already been funded.
The MoT is also funding development of infrastructure in Siritual Circuits in various States. Odisha Tourism & Culture Minister Ashok Chandra Panda had recently urged Union Tourism Minister Alphons Kannanthanam for sanction of funds for development of Rural and Spiritual Circuits in the State.
He also emphasised on promotion of the Diamond Quadrangle of Buddhist sites of Odisha in the India Tourism publicity campaign. He said Odisha has already requested the Centre for both the sanctions under the Swadesh Darshan scheme in October 2015 and January 2016, respectively.
Panda also drew the attention of the Union Minister to implement a light & Sound Show at Khandagiri which has been pending for long. However, the MoT is yet to respond over the matter; and funding is awaited, said a senior official of the Department of Tourism.