Karnataka - Mysore   

Jayakumar vows to make State top tourist destination

By Our Staff Correspondent

MYSORE, DEC. 21. D.T. Jayakumar, Minister for Tourism, has vowed to put the State on top of the country's tourist map.

Mr. Jayakumar, who convened a meeting of Tourism Department officials here on Monday, told presspersons that he will soon constitute a panel comprising hoteliers, thinkers and experts before chalking out plans to promote the sector with financial aid from the World Bank, Asian Development Bank and other international funding agencies.

While Haryana topped the list of tourist destinations in the country, Kerala came second. Karnataka, which boasts of Hampi, Belur,

Somnathpur, Mysore, Badami, Aihole, B.R. Hills, M.M. Hills, Jog falls and a host of national parks, has failed to tap its tourism potential, Mr. Jayakumar said.

Mr. Jayakumar mooted the idea of convening a meeting of all tourism ministers of South India to evolve a uniform entry tax for tourist vehicles.

The Minister said he will convince the Chief Minister, N. Dharam Singh, and the Deputy Chief Minister, Siddaramaiah, to bring down luxury tax in the State.

Mr. Jayakumar admitted that he was initially dissatisfied with the Tourism portfolio allocated to him.

"But the former prime minister H.D. Deve Gowda has promised to prevail upon the Centre to sanction Rs. 100 crores for tourism development in the State," he said.

Mr. Jayakumar, who is the Nanjangud MLA, said he will promote the temple town of Nanjangud as "Kashi of Dakshina Bharath".

Ropeway

The Minister appeared determined to construct a ropeway to the picturesque Chamundi Hills, a project, which has been pending for long.

About opposition from environmentalists to the project, Mr.

Jayakumar said he will take environmentalists and experts to the spot and other such ropeways elsewhere in the country to convince them about the tourist importance of a ropeway and its positive impact.

"I will convince environmentalists that there is no threat to the environment from the ropeway," he said.

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