Karnataka Chief minister Siddaramaiah’s budget proposals have evoked a mixed response in Mysuru region. A slew of new schemes were announced for the Malnad districts of the region, which includes construction of airstrips at Chikkamagaluru and Kodagu districts.
Coffee planters welcomed the initiative to promote coffee and tourism in Chikkamagaluru. But, the planters are unhappy as the government has not taken much interest to provide solutions to man-animal conflict and labour problems.
KK Ravi, a planter, said the farmers as well as the planters are in distress and the government should have given more importance to them. “We have been facing labour problems and areca plantations are affected due to diseases. At least now, the government could have allotted more funds for these sectors,” he said.
With 10 marked thrust areas, the new policy focuses on positioning Meghalaya among India’s top 10 tourism states, attracting domestic and international visitors, and promoting responsible tourism practices. Besides employment generation, the new policy also emphasises on high value-low volume tourism, technological advancements, enhanced connectivity, public-private partnerships, among other priorities.
In Hassan and Chikkamagaluru districts, the industrialists claimed the budget would help industries. A hike in the prices of guidance value would result in hike in registration cost of land. It will not have positive effect on real estate, according to HA Kiran, president of Hassan Small Scale Industries. “Even registration charges of vehicles have been increased and it would affect sales of vehicles. Health and education is important for quality of life. We request the CM to take positive initiatives for these sectors,” he added.
The proposal to take up the branding of Arabica coffee grown in Kodagu and Chikkamagaluru is welcomed by the growers. The CM announced that this exercise will also help in improving eco tourism in these places.
The CM’s announcement on the development of airstrips in Kodagu, Chikkamagaluru and Dharmasthala is also welcomed. This will help in improving tourism and entrepreneurship activities in these places. During natural calamites, airstrips will be helpful to take immediate remedy measures.
Kodagu district will get a 450-bedded hospital in Madikeri.
