Karnataka Chief Minister D.K. Shivakumar has announced plans to introduce a special tourism policy for Mangaluru and the coastal region as his government completes 100 days in office.
He made that announcement at the ‘Drudha Karnatakada Sankalpa’ programme held to commemorate the anniversary.
Shivakumar said the next Cabinet meeting would be held in Mangaluru. The development of the coastal region, particularly its tourism potential, will be the focus of the meeting and will be discussed, he added.
The Chief Minister also said the government is keen to move the coastal belt in a new direction and create tourism and jobs for local people.
“There have been discussions already about how to develop the region and give it a new identity,” he said.
Shivakumar believes the government wants to create a stronger platform for coastal growth and development and move the region closer to Bengaluru in terms of growth and opportunities.
Tourism is expected to be an essential part of this plan. Mangaluru and other coastal areas have great potential for the tourism sector because of their beaches, cultural attractions, and natural surroundings.
The proposed policy will utilize this potential to stimulate investment in tourism-related activities and create jobs.
Shivakumar also spoke about the government’s ‘Praja Seva’ programme during his speech. He said people should not have to travel to Vidhana Soudha, ministers’ offices, or Deputy Commissioner’s offices for routine government-related work.
The initiative aims to bring government services to the citizens and make it easier for them to raise their concerns.
The Praja Seva system is implemented, and so is the Integrated Public Grievance Redressal System. Residents can call the 1902 helpline to lodge a complaint and ask for help.
Praja Seva meetings are also planned at taluk and hobli levels, where people can directly bring their problems before government officials and elected representatives.
Shivakumar said the approach is intended to make administration accessible and reduce the need for citizens to go to government offices in Bengaluru often.
The 100-day programme allowed the Karnataka government to illustrate its objectives and discuss its plans for the next months.
The focus on coastal tourism and citizen services is consistent with the government’s focus on regional development and better access to administration.
With the next Cabinet meeting scheduled to take place in Mangaluru, now attention will be on the proposed coastal tourism policy and the measures the government will introduce for the region.
As shown in these announcements, the Karnataka government is seeking to integrate economic development and easier access to public services, with the coastal region and citizen-centric administration among the focus areas.
