Mangalore : RV Deshpande, State Minister for Higher Education and Tourism has said that the state government was giving top priority towards promotion of the tourism industry.
He was speaking on the occasion of his visit to the District Congress Office in Mangalore on July 28, Sunday. The Minister said there was a proposal to have a Karwar-Mangalore Coastal Circuit Project with the main objective of promoting tourism along the coastal belt. He said the proposal would be sent to the Union Tourism Ministry. He said once approved, the project would envisage development of infrastructural facilities along the coastal line to boost tourism. This project will create job opportunities while also increasing revenue, he informed.
The minister further stated that the DCs of the three coastal districts have been instructed to prepare a report after consultations with stake holders, elected representatives and officials and after identifying the places where tourism can be developed. He said the report would be sent to the Centre for its approval.
Deshpande assured that the government would clear the pay arrears of guest lecturers and has already released Rs 22 crores out of the total Rs 58 crores. The balance Rs 36 crores will be released after the budget session, the minister said.
Several Congress leaders including MLA JR Lobo, Ivan D’Souza, Ibrahim Kodijal, AC Bhandari, Suresh Ballal and Vijaykumar Shetty were present on the occasion.