Comprehensive Coastal Tourism Development Plan announced in Karnataka Budget
Bengaluru: Chief Minister Siddaramaiah has announced that a Comprehensive Coastal Tourism Development Plan will be prepared to make better use of the tourism potential of Karnataka’s coastal districts.
Presenting the 2026–27 State Budget, the Chief Minister announced several initiatives aimed at strengthening tourism, fisheries, agriculture and infrastructure in the coastal region.
Under the proposed plan, connectivity between coastal tourist destinations will be improved through Sea Plane and Heli Taxi services in collaboration with aviation and water adventure tourism partners. Joy Ride and River Cruise activities will also be promoted at select locations.
To address diseases affecting arecanut and coconut crops, including leaf spot, yellow leaf disease, bud rot, black-headed caterpillar and whiteflies, community-based pest and disease control programmes will be taken up in association with universities and Krishi Vigyan Kendras at a cost of Rs 10 crore.
The value of free fishing equipment kits provided to fishermen will be increased from Rs 10,000 to Rs 20,000 to encourage fishing activities. A Centre of Excellence will also be established at the Fisheries College in Mangaluru to promote biotechnology industries, innovative technologies and mariculture.
To encourage fish consumption and ensure availability of clean and quality fish products, Matsyadarshinis will be established in Belagavi, Davanagere, Hubballi and Chikkamagaluru. In addition, well-equipped fish markets will be constructed in Uttara Kannada, Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Bagalkote districts.
The government will allocate Rs 20 crore for the maintenance of fisheries link roads across the state. Fishermen will also be provided training to adopt modern technologies and improve fish production in rivers, lakes, farm ponds and reservoirs, thereby helping them secure stable income through inland fisheries.
For the safety of residents and school students in remote habitations of the Malnad and coastal regions, the government plans to construct 300 foot bridges.
To strengthen port and cargo movement infrastructure, a Comprehensive Multimodal Logistics Policy will be introduced. The government will also frame a Karnataka State Offshore Resources Development and Utilisation Policy to tap opportunities in cage fish farming and renewable energy generation in offshore areas.
The government has proposed the formation of development authorities for the overall development of Kukke Sri Subrahmanya Temple and Kollur Sri Mookambika Temple along with improvement of basic facilities.
The second phase of construction work at the Mangaluru Central Prison will be taken up during the current year. As announced in the previous budget, approval has been given to build a 300-bed hospital as part of the proposed medical college in Puttur.
A super speciality hospital will be established in Karwar at a cost of Rs 100 crore. Ten hostels, each with a capacity of 50, will be started for working women belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in Bengaluru, Mysuru, Hubballi-Dharwad, Mangaluru, Belagavi and Kalaburagi.
To support students from backward classes, 50 post-matric hostels with a capacity of 150 students each will be set up in districts including Bengaluru, Mysuru, Mangaluru, Dharwad, Belagavi, Kalaburagi, Davanagere, Shivamogga and Ballari.
The Chief Minister also announced that new police stations will be established at Mani and Sajipa Nadu in Dakshina Kannada district.
Let the Truth be known. If you read VB and like VB, please be a VB Supporter and Help us deliver the Truth to one and all.
Flagrant injustice to underprivileged: Mehbooba on govt action against Shopian school
Srinagar (PTI): PDP president Mehbooba Mufti on Monday said declaring Dar Ul Uloom Jamia Siraj Ul Uloom in Jammu and Kashmir's Shopian an unlawful entity under the UAPA was a "flagrant injustice" to the underprivileged sections of society.
She also alleged that banning such "altruistic institutions" without any solid evidence of anti-national activity "shows a deep seated prejudice and ill intention".
The institution allegedly run by individuals affiliated with a banned organisation has been declared an "unlawful entity" under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA).
In a post on X, Mehbooba said, "Every single day the j&k government acts as a mute bystander & a timid enabler of vicious assaults on J&Ks identity & dignity. Declaring Dar Ul Uloom Jamia Siraj Ul Uloom as an unlawful entity under UAPA is a flagrant injustice to the poor underprivileged sections of society".
The former chief minister said the institution served as a "beacon of quality education" for students unable to afford expensive schooling.
"It has produced reputed doctors and professionals who served this nation with dedication. Banning these altruistic institutions without any solid evidence of anti national activity shows a deep seated prejudice & ill intention," she added.
Divisional Commissioner Kashmir Anshul Garg issued a two-page order based on the dossier presented by Senior Superintendent of Police Shopian pointing towards the alleged illegal activities at Darul Uloom Jamia Sirajul Uloom at Imam Sahib in Shopian district in south Kashmir.
According to the order issued by Garg on April 24, there were "credible inputs and evidence on record, to indicate sustained and covert linkages of the institution with Jamaat-e-Islami, which the Government of India banned in 2019.
