Daijiworld Media Network - Belagavi (SP)

Belagavi, Dec 14: Karnataka chief minister, H D Kumaraswamy, said that a meeting of Coastal Development Authority would be convened soon to discuss about all the pending works to be undertaken in coastal Karnataka.

In reply to question raised by MLC, Ivan D'Souza, he stated that development works worth Rs 43 crore had been sanctioned to the region last year.

Ivan, expressing displeasure, said that when Coastal Development Authority was formed, there was hope that tourism sector would get encouragement. He pointed out that the government, which gave Rs 20 crore to this sector in the previous year, set aside only Rs 11 crore this year. He pleaded not to neglect the coastal region. He asked the government to empower the authority and release funds further. 

Kumaraswamy said that Rs 23.61 crore had been released to Dakshina Kannada and Rs 8.95 crore to Udupi. He added that Rs 11.09 crore was released for Uttara Kannada district, and assured to complete works worth Rs 23 crore which are pending, immediately. He promised to convene the meeting of the authority soon to take stock of development works and to initiate measures to strengthen Coastal Development Authority further.