The department of tourism has identified 569 destinations in the state for im-proving infrastructure and facilities. The department has also appointed consultants for every district to improve tourism infrastructure in the state, minister for tourism and higher education, R V Deshpande, said.
Replying to a question raised by Appaji Nadagouda of Congress in the state legislative assembly on Wednesday, the minister said district-level committees headed by the deputy commissioners will be reorganised soon. These committees will hold meeting of all the stakeholders every quarter to discuss and chalk out action plan for development of tourism in every district.
"The urban development department is executing works for Rs 38.99 crore for creation of various infrastructure facilities at different tourism destinations. The tourism department has prepared a detailed project report for Rs 5.25 crore for improving the facilities at Mysore Palace," Deshpande said in response to another question raised by a Congress member.
The department of tourism will examine the possibility of taking up new works in Mysore depending upon the availability of funds, he said.
Over the last three years, the government has allocated Rs 735.27 crore to the tourism department and work has been taken up at 569 places, he said adding that Rs 346.72 crore has been provided to the tourism department in the budget for 2013-14. The new works will be taken up after the budget is passed, he said.
Leader of Opposition, H D Kumaraswamy (JD-S) alleged irregularities to the tune of crores of rupees in the running of taxis operated by Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation at Bangalore airport.
He talked of corruption by way of using "duplicate receipts", and charged officials of KSTDC with "irresponsibility" and harassing hapless drivers of the KSTDC-operated taxis.
The minister asked Kumaraswamy to provide documents to support the charges and promised to look into the issues raised by him. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah said in his 2013-14 budget speech last week there is dearth of infrastructure in tourism.
In order to strengthen tourism activities and develop tourism infrastructure, KSTDC would be restructured and strengthened with necessary additional staff and financial support.
To take up tourism activities effectively and to coordinate the activities of tourism in Karnataka, tourism trade facilitation act would be implemented, he had said. To provide all tourist services under a single roof, tourism plazas would be constructed at world heritage sites - Hampi and Pattadakallu, and handicraft fair and shandy would be conducted here on the lines of Surajkund Fair of Haryana, according to the Chief Minister.
