Cabinet nod for corporate upkeep of tourist destinations

The Cabinet, on Thursday, cleared the proposal allowing corporate houses to take up maintenance of infrastructure at important tourist destinations under corporate social responsibility (CSR) in the State.

Briefing reporters, Law Minister T B Jayachandra said about 46 tourist destinations, including Badami, Pattadakal, Lalbagh, Bannerghatta and Aihole, have been identified for adoption. 

They will maintain the existing guest houses and circuit houses in these places. This will help promote tourism, he added.

Guest houses at many tourist destinations are in bad state due to lack of proper maintenance as government does not have enough resources for their upkeep. 

Corporate houses, on the other hand, are looking for proper way to spend money under CSR. An estimated Rs 12,000 crore is available for utilisation under CSR in Karnataka, he said.

“Corporate houses will be given responsibility of maintenance. They will not get ownership of government properties. They will be allowed to put up their boards, but their operation and ownership will remain with government,” he stated.

Decision deferred

Meanwhile, the Cabinet deferred the decision on approving the new industrial policy 2014-19 as a draft copy was not made available to all ministers. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah directed industries department to circulate the copy to all Cabinet ministers to help them participate in the discussion. The new policy should have come into effect by April 2014, but has been delayed due to parliamentary elections. 

Sarojini Mahishi report 

Jayachandra said Siddaramaiah has directed Labour Minister P T Parameshwara Naik to submit a report to Cabinet on the implemention of the Sarojini Mahishi report regarding reservation of jobs to local people in private firms. He directed the Industries department to incorporate reservation to local people as mandatory condition for approving industry projects.

Siddaramaiah gave the direction while approving RBSSV Ferrous Industries’ plan to purchase 49 acre of agriculture land for its plant at Hagaribommanahalli. The issue came up when one of the ministers complained that private companies were not giving jobs to local people. 

The Cabinet also approved Venkateshwara Hatcheries’ purchase of 15.30 acre of land in Harappanahalli and extend lease period of 80 acre land given to Bharat Scouts and Guides at Harihar for 30 years.