Big provisions in state budget for coastal areas: CM Bommai

Karkala: The coastal region occupies an important place in the state’s economic point of view. Special consideration is being put into its development in the upcoming state budget, said Chief Minister Basavaraj Bommai.

He was speaking to media after unveiling the statue of Parashurama at Umikkal Hill in Karkala’s Bailoor on Friday.

Activities in the coast including port development, promotion of basic employment, and large-scale measures to expand the tourism industry are under consideration. “Wait till the budget,” he added.

Further, he said a master plan would be prepared to promote cultural and temple tourism in the coastal areas and priority would be given to the development of industries.

Rebutting to Congress’ questioning of PM Narendra Modi’s frequent visits to the state, Bommai said that Congressmen are afraid to see a large crowd at PM Modi’s rallies. If Rahul Gandhi comes, people will not gather. But when PM Modi came, the large crowd that gathered has made Congressmen fearful. “Siddaramaiah is saying such things to hide his fear,” he said.

Further, Bommai said the BJP is not transforming the coast into a laboratory of Hindutva. It is the Congress that is playing the politics of appeasement, he said.