From Our Special Correspondent
Daijiworld Media Network

Bengaluru, Jun 12: Tourism sector has suffered a huge loss of Rs 15,000 crore on account of the COVID-19 pandemic in Karnataka, Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa said in Bengaluru on Friday June 12.

Speaking at the review meeting of the Kannada and Culture, Information and Youth Empowerment and Tourism Departments through video conferencing in Bengaluru on Friday, he expressed concern that at least 3 lac jobs were likely to be lost due to the Corona pandemic and consequent lockdown conditions.

Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) and Jungle Lodges Corporations had suffered estimated loss of Rs 14 crore and Rs 15 crore respectively, he said.

But prior to the imposition of the lockdown, the KSTDC had performed exceedingly well and had earned a profit of Rs 6.23 crore in the previous financial year, which is the highest in the last 12 years. The Jungle Lodges Corporation had also registered a profit of Rs 7.86 crore.

He, however, asked the Department to take steps to revive the tourism sector following the relaxation of lockdown restrictions and opening up of the different sectors of economy for operations.

The State Government has prepared comprehensive development plans for the tourism sector, especially with regard to developing 20 major tourist attractions, he said directing the officials to implement the plans in a phased manner.

The Chief Minister appreciated the work of the officials in ensuring the coordination for repatriation of 6,780 foreign tourists, who were caught up in the State due to the lockdown, to their home countries.

Cultural and Traditional Centers

The Chief Minister directed the officials to take steps for implementing plans for establishing cultural and traditional centres at Veerapur and Banandur villages, the birth places of the late Siddaganga Mutt pontiff Sri Shivakumar Swamiji and the Sri Balagangadharanath Swamiji.

The Chief Minister was informed that the as many as 16,095 artists and writers had been provided with financial assistance of Rs 2,000 each to tide over their difficulties due to the lockdown. The total amount spent on granting the financial assistance was Rs 3.21 crore.

Kannada and Culture, Sports and Youth Empowerment and Tourism Minister CT Ra I, Chief Secretary T M Vijaya Bhaskar, Finance Department Additional Chief Secretary ISN Prasad and other senior officials participated in the review meeting.