From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Jun 25: World famous Jog Falls in Shivamogga district would be getting a complete make-over if tourism and environment minister C P Yogeshwar’s Rs 185 crore plan to create tourism facilities materializes.

Speaking to the media on Friday, the minister said tenders for creating the modern tourism facilities at a cost of Rs 185 crore have been finalized and the work will commence soon. The Karnataka Power Corporation will be implementing the project.

Among the grandiose plans chalked out by the minister is the daily release of 200 cusecs of water to the Jog Falls from the Linganamakki hydro reservoir to ensure that the splendour of the Jog Falls was available all through the 365 days in a year.

In the first phase, 200 cusecs of water will be released from the Linganamakki hydro reservoir on government holidays and the quantity of water released will be increased to 300 cusecs daily, he said.

Two hotels to accommodate 1,000 tourists are also being established, he said mentioning that Jog Falls will be linked to Karnataka’s ambitious Heli-Tourism Circuit in order to enable tourists from India and abroad to enjoy the beauty and glory of Jog Falls round the year.

Another attraction proposed is the facility of operating speed boats to tourists from Kerala and Goa, he said.

With the Covid-19 positivity rate showing signs of a steady downward trend, the minister announced that all the tourist spots that had been shut down due to the Covid control lockdown restrictions will be thrown open for the public from next week.

Yogeshwar said the Tourism and Hospitality were contributing 14.85% of revenue to the state’s GDP with direct and indirect job creation of 50 lac.

However, he said it was unfortunate that the allocation to the tourism sector in the state’s 2021-22 annual budget was barely Rs 228.75 crore and pointed out that the tourism and hospitality sector would make a further contribution to the state’s GDP and growth if at least Rs 1,000 crore was allocated and more jobs can be created. While funds to the tune of thousands of crores of rupees are approved at every meeting of the state cabinet for irrigation, power and other departments, the tourism and hospitality sector has been neglected, he said urging the chief minister to set right the anomaly.

The minister demanded that projects in the tourism and hospitality sector must be approved on a private-public-participation model and the comprehensive tourism development plan for the next two years must be implemented with sufficient budgetary allocations.

State’s energy department secretary, Ponnuraj, tourism department secretary, Pankaj Kumar Pande, Jungle Lodges Resorts and KSTDC managing director, Pushakar and Vijay Sharma and tourism department director, Sindhu Roopesh were among the senior officials who attended the meeting held under the chairmanship of minister, Yogeshwar.

Change of Leadership: Exams over, results awaited

Answering questions from the media on the speculations over the change of leadership in the state and BJP national general secretary and state in-charge Arun Singh’s recent 3-day meeting to meet key leaders, Yogeshwar merely quipped: "All of us have answered the examinations. Results are awaited soon.’’

"I have explained my personal problems and the fundamental problems facing the state government and state BJP unit before the party high command. I cannot share the details with the media,’’ he said reiterating that results of the confabulations will be available shortly.

Yogeshwar, who had raised the banner of revolt and indirectly criticized the interference of chief minister B S Yediyurappa’s son B Y Vijayendra in the government, said he has discharged his responsibilities and continues to do so. "I have put forth my personal problems and grievances before the party’s Delhi leaders. I have confined my discussions within the four walls in order to ensure that it should not affect the party or the government’s image,’’ he said.

He claimed that he was finding it is extremely difficult to strengthen the party organisation in the Old Mysuru region as BJP leaders are carrying out adjustment politics with Congress and JD(S). "I am against adjustment politics. It needs to be put an end to. The government must function efficiently and effectively. The BJP organisation should be strong and active in the Old Mysuru region as in other parts of the state,’’ he said.

Yogeshwar clarified that he has no information about being entrusted with the responsibility of being in charge of Kolar district, which is presently looked after by forests minister, Aravind Limbavali.

He also made it clear that he and former minister, Ramesh Jarkiholi have been friends for the last 20 years. "I have not discussed with him on his latest political stand nor have I met him. I don’t have any information about Ramesh Jarkiholi’s visit to Mumbai to submit his resignation to the party,’’ he said while asserting that "Ramesh Jarkiholi will not resign (from the party)."