BANGALORE: The Government is keen to promote the tourism sector in a big way, and Tourism Minister B. Sriramulu recently met Union Tourism Minister Ambika Soni seeking a Rs. 75.5-crore package.

Mr. Sriramulu told presspersons here on Tuesday that he sought the release of Rs. 14.5 crores for ongoing tourism projects. They include tourism circuit development for Chitradurga, Bijapur, Bidar and Gulbarga districts, which are rich in stone monuments and forts, apart from the world famous Hampi, Badami, Aihole and Pattadakal.

Forty-one projects are in the offing for which he sought Rs. 75.5 crores from the Centre. An eco-theme park and development of a few villages or centres as art villages focussing on the art and crafts of the region, such as Shivapura with its sculpture, Channapatna and Sagar are on the cards.

He said the `Palace-on-Wheels' project will roll out in 18 months from now. The Rs. 32-crore project, to be taken up jointly with the Centre, has been awaiting clearance from the Railways. The Centre has released Rs. 4 crores, while the State Government will shortly release Rs. 6.9 crores, he said.

Full moon festival

The `full moon festival' at a resort near Hampi, scheduled for Tuesday, has caused a great deal of consternation, as there is talk of revellers being served liquor and consuming narcotic drugs.

Mr. Sriramulu said the district authorities in Bellary are on the alert and have been told to keep the resort under watch until the festival is over. Any illegal activity under the pretext of celebrating the full moon over Hampi at any venue near the heritage site will not be tolerated, he said.

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