Chandigarh, July 17 – Haryana Government has got the in-principle approval to set up a 'Cultural Centre' in Kurukshetra, Haryana from the Central Government. Besides this, the Central Government and Haryana Government will work jointly to expand and develop the famous ‘International Surajkund Craft Mela’ into a grand affair for which a comprehensive plan has been formulated.
The Chief Minister, Sh. Manohar Lal today held in-detail discussions with the Union Tourism Minister, Sh. G. Kishan Reddy in New Delhi on tourism projects. Senior officers of the Central Government and Haryana Government were also present in this meeting.
The meeting also reviewed the progress of various ongoing tourism projects in Haryana. During the meeting, the Union Tourism Minister appreciated the ongoing tourism projects being pursued by Haryana Government. The Union Minister assured that all possible cooperation and help will be extended by the Union Ministry of Tourism for various tourism projects of the State.
The State Government is also implementing various projects to develop 'Kurukshetra' as a Religious Tourism Centre. Likewise, the Government also plans to develop 'Kurukshetra' as a 'Cultural Centre'. Besides this, the in-principle approval to set up a 'North Zone Cultural Centre' in 'Kurukshetra' has been given by the Central Government as well. Presently, ‘North Zone Cultural Centre’ is in Patiala (Punjab).
Among other such projects in Kurukshetra, the detailed project description of the museum to be established at Jyotisar in Kurukshetra has been submitted by the Haryana Government to the Union Ministry of Tourism. This will be the first world class museum in the country with state-of-the-art technology to be established in Kurukshetra. The museums being developed in the other parts of the country by the Union Ministry of Tourism will also be spruced up with most modern technology.
Moreover, the Central Government and the Haryana Government plan to work jointly by formulating a plan for expanding and making the 'International Surajkund Crafts Mela' a grand affair. The Union Ministry of Tourism has also given the approval to Haryana to take consultancy for formulating PPP (Public Private Partnership) Model project in this regard. Among other tourism-related projects, the Chief Minister also discussed setting up of a Indian music-based museum in Pinjore, Haryana with the Union Tourism Minister. Apart from this, discussions were held with the Union Tourism Minister regarding the setting up of a museum in the palace of Raja Nahar Singh located in Ballabhgarh, Haryana. There was also a discussion with the Union Tourism Minister regarding setting up of ‘Heritage Circuit’ in Madhogarh (Mahendragarh). Besides this, detailed discussions were also held regarding ongoing projects namely 'Rakhi Garhi' and Adibadri-Saraswati, an archaeological site of Indus Valley Civilization located in Haryana.
The Union Ministry of Tourism and Culture and the Archaeological Survey of India will work jointly with regard to various tourism projects of Haryana. The Union Tourism Minister also gave directions to appoint a nodal officer in this regard.