Yahya Hallare

Daijiworld Media Network - Bhatkal (SP)

Bhatkal, Jan 8: "Large sale industries do not suit Uttara Kannada district. Therefore, the government has been laying thrust on environmental-friendly tourism in the district, as a result of which thousands of new employments are being created here," said state large and medium industries minister, R V Deshpande.

He was speaking after inaugurating 'Netrani Scuba Diving Festival 2018' at a function held on Saturday at RNS hall, Murudeshwar in the taluk. The festival is being held under the aegis of Uttara Kannada district administration and tourism department of the state.

The minister said that there was a plan to set up steel plant at Ankola and an airport also was conceived there, but the people were opposed to the project. "Environment-friendly tourism which protects all interests, suits the district. The government has invested crores of rupees in this sector, and the district is now emerging as a centre of attraction for tourists who used to frequent neighbouring Goa in the past. Netrani island is a world-famous unique island that is at attracting tourists from the world over. We have taken another step forward towards developing tourism in the district by organizing this festival," he said, and urged the people to make use of additional employment opportunities created because of this initiative.

Zilla panchayat president, Jayashree Mogera, who presided over the programme, in her address, stressed that tourism helps in the country's progress.

On this occasion, divisional forest officer, Vasant Reddy, presented a demonstration on conservation of sea creatures and vivan scuba diving. Assistant commissioner here, Manjunath, proposed vote of thanks. Sridhar Shet presented the programme.

Deputy commissioner of the district, S Nakul, welcomed. MLA, Sharada Mohan Shetty, superintendent of police, Vinayak Patil, zilla panchayat executive officer, Chandrashekhar and others were present.

MLA stays away: Local MLA, Mankalu Vaidya, who should have presided over the inaugural of the scuba diving festival that plans to attract tourists, gave vent to his unhappiness by staying away from the function, although he was moving around the area. He however, attended a programme organized at 3 pm in the prsence of minister, R V Deshpande, in which laptops were distributed to students. It is said that the MLA has noted that several fishermen have been opposing scuba diving, and he is unhappy at not being consulted before organizing the event.

Politics behind compensation rejection: Speaking to media persons at Murudeshwar, minister R V Deshpande said that political forces had played their role relating to the incident in which family of Paresh Mesta, who lost his life in a tragic incident at Honnavar, refused to accept compensation paid by the government. Replying queries raised by reporters, he said that Paresh's parents and other family members are good people and that he is sad that they refused to accept compensation. "I had honestly tried to provide additional compensation to the family. It is clear that some individuals who are involved with whole time politics, pressurized the family of Paresh to reject the compensation. We cannot do anything about it," he said.

Zilla panchayat president, Jayashree Mogera, was present.