K'taka submits proposal to Centre on tourism projects

Bangalore, Mar 14 (UNI) The Karnataka Government has submitted a fresh proposal to the Centre seeking Rs 75.50 crore to take up 41 new tourism projects to boost tourism in the state, Tourism Minister B Sriramulu informed today.

Speaking to newspersons here, he said he had met Union Tourism Minister Ambika Soni in New Delhi yesterday and discussed with her the proposed projects in detail.

He had also urged her to release Rs 14.50 crore towards pending projects which were in various stages of implementation, he informed.

Stating that the state had tremendous potential to boost tourism, Mr Sriramulu assured that he would strive to ensure that adequate funds were earmarked in the Budget for 2006-07 for tourism promotion.

He said Bellary district administration had been instructed to take steps to prevent immoral activities in Virupapura Gadde resort near the world famous Hampi ruins.

The Minister said Deputy Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa would inaugurate ''Connect-2006,'' a programme to develop tourism in the state, on March 25. A two-day workshop on tourism in the state would also be held in Mysore from May 15, he added.

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