New tourism policy for state soon: Siddaramaiah

Mandya: Chief minister Siddaramaiah on Saturday said a new tourism policy will be unveiled in the state soon.
He was speaking after inaugurating the two-day Gaganachukki Jalapatosava at Malavalli in Mandya district.
"Many countries in the world are earning huge revenue through tourism. Karnataka is blessed with many tourist spots. We need to utilise this to promote tourism in the state," the CM said, adding: "I have advised tourism minister HK Patil to come out with a new tourism policy."
The CM said those who failed to implement any guarantee scheme are now opposing those.They are the enemies of the poor, he said, asserting that "Siddaramaiah kept his words on the guarantee schemes and hence opposition parties are jealous about it."
Siddaramaiah further said: "BJP leaders were experts in telling lies. Now JD(S) leaders have joined them."
The CM listed some of the major projects for Mandya district's development, such as Rs 50 crore for the revival of MySugar, a new sugar factory in Mandya, and a new agriculture university in the VC farm.
According to the CM, though Mandya district in-charge minister N Cheluvarayaswamy sought Rs 20 crore for the MySugar factory, he extended it to Rs 50 crore.
He also hit out at Union minister HD Kumaraswamy over the Mekedatu project. "Those who claim that they are the sons of the soil must get permission for the Mekedatu project from the Union govt. The MP from Mandya, who is also a Union minister, must get permission," the CM said.
Siddaramaiah also expressed his disappointment over the defeat of the Congress candidate in Mandya constituency in the last Lok Sabha elections. "It is sad that our candidate was defeated even after the Congress govt initiated so many development projects in Mandya district," he said.