Karnataka budget: Allocation goes up, but the tour of scepticism won’t end

Although the allocation of `250 crore in the state budget has brought cheer to the tourism sector, industry leaders on Thursday were apprehensive over how much of the allotted money would be really utilised for developing infrastructure facilities, especially the last mile connectivity.

Chief minister BS Yeddyurappa had proposed a theme park in Hampi to commemorate 500 years of coronation of Krishna Devaraiah at a cost of Rs100 crore. He also allocated Rs10 crore for developing the Hampi city.

K Shiva Shanmugam, vice-president of the Karnataka Chamber of Commerce and Industry, however, felt the allocation was too less.

“We had demanded for more, at least another Rs400 crore, as it is needed for promoting tourism. A request will be made to the government to have a re-look at the allocation. Furthermore, we had demanded that special status and funds be given to the Ganagapura temples in Gulbarga, which attract over 40 lakh tourists a year, higher than those visiting Mysore,” he said.