Govt to provide better facilities to visitors at tourist sites in Karnataka, says Minister HK Patil
Mysuru: Minister for Law, Justice, Parliamentary Affairs and Tourism HK Patil has said that the state government is considering the implementation of a tourist police system across Karnataka for the convenience of tourists to the state.
Addressing a press conference in Mysuru, the minister said that Karnataka’s cultural and natural heritage was iconic in the world and efforts would be taken to develop it. “The Chamundi Hills will be developed under the Prasad scheme. I have held discussion with concerned officials and a committee will also be formed to handle the preparations to host the world famous Mysuru Dasara event, which attracts about 50 lakh people every year and is to be held in about three months’ time,” Patil said.
“Jungle lodges and resorts had a turnover of Rs 61 crore in 2020-21 and Rs 111 crore in 2022-23. A plan will be made and implemented to increase the number of tourists from 40 per cent to 70 per cent. Special packages will be offered to senior citizens and college students, including PU College and undergraduate students. Arrangements will be made to provide passes for tourists to go sightseeing in various places,” he said.
“The five guarantee schemes of the state government have already been implemented. The Shakti Yojana for women has especially contributed to a hike in the number of visitors to tourist spots. Appropriate steps will be taken to provide basic facilities at tourist spots, to ensure a further increase in the number,” said Patil.
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K'taka bypolls: 11.87 percent voter turnout in Bagalkot, 9.01 percent in Davanagere South till 9 am
Bengaluru (PTI): In the first two hours since voting began for bypolls to two Bagalkot and Davanagere South assembly constituencies, the voter turnout stood at 11.87 percent and 9.01 percent, respectively, on Thursday.
The voting for the bypolls in two constituencies necessitated by the deaths of senior Congress MLAs H Y Meti and Shamanur Shivashankarappa, began at 7 am, the office of the Chief Electoral Officer said.
While the Congress faces the challenge of retaining both seats, the BJP is aiming to wrest them and deliver a setback to the ruling party, which is currently witnessing an "internal power struggle" over leadership.
A total of over 2.59 lakh eligible voters are expected to cast their votes at around 319 polling stations in Bagalkot, where nine candidates are in the fray.
In Davanagere South, over 2.31 lakh eligible voters are expected to vote across 284 polling stations, with 25 candidates contesting.
Officials said elaborate security arrangements have been made for the smooth conduct of bypolls.
The BJP has fielded former MLA and 2023 defeated candidate Veerabhadrayya Charantimath from Bagalkot, and a fresh face, Srinivas T Dasakariyappa, from Davanagere South.
The Congress has given tickets to family members of the late legislators in both constituencies. Bagalkot candidate Umesh Meti is the son of H Y Meti, while Samarth Mallikarjun from Davanagere South is the grandson of Shamanur Shivashankarappa.
Samarth’s father, S S Mallikarjun, is a minister in the Siddaramaiah-led Cabinet and in charge of Davanagere district, while his mother, Prabha Mallikarjun, is a Member of Parliament from the region.
In the 2023 Assembly elections, H Y Meti defeated BJP’s Charantimath by a margin of 5,878 votes in Bagalkot, while Shivashankarappa defeated BJP’s B G Ajay Kumar by 27,888 votes in Davanagere South.
