Mangaluru: The state government has impressed on the union government the need to relax rules pertaining to Coastal Regulation Zone in order to give fillip to beach tourism in Karnataka, noted Priyank Kharge, minister for IT/BT and tourism. Current CRZ rules makes it difficult to promote beach tourism activities in the state and this has affected tourism activities, Priyank replied to a query from Ivan D'Souza, chief whip of the ruling party in the council on Monday.

The tourism department has released Rs 6.37 crore for construction of a Yatri Nivas and other works at Infant Jesus Shrine at Bikarnakatte in the city during 2015-16. The department has also identified Surathkal, Kateel, Someshwar, Bengre coast, Shirady, Thannirbhavi, Ullal, Moodbidri, Venur, Kukke Subramanya and Uppinangady as places of tourism importance in Dakshina Kannada district and is taking all necessary steps to develop the same, the minister said.

With the post of assistant director in the department in the district vacant, the department has taken steps to ensure continuity in its functioning by appointing an officer as in-charge assistant director, the minister informed the member. A sum of Rs 3.75 crore has been allocated to widen road leading to Sulthan Batheri from Urwa Market and for improving facilities for tourists at Devandabettu Durgaparameshwari Temple at Innoli and St Joseph Vaz Church at Mudipu in 2015-16.

To a query on the status of Ambedkar Bhavan in the district, minister for social welfare H Anjaneya said the state government is yet to accord administrative approval for it. The bhavan will be built on 1.65-acres of land located in survey numbers 79/1-2 and 178/4 at Derebail village in Mangaluru taluk. The government in 2012-13 had released Rs 20 lakh for construction of the bhavan and also accepted a proposal for Rs 12 crore subsequently, the minister informed Ivan.