Union Minister of State for Tourism K. Chiranjeevi has stated that his Ministry has sanctioned Rs. 40 crore for development of several locations as tourism attractions in the Telangana region during the last one month.
Speaking at a function organised to release a book on “Temples of Telangana” published by Namasthe Telangana here on Sunday the Minister said Rs. 5 crore was given for setting up light and sound system at Elgandal fort in Karimnagar district, Rs. 5 crore for development of tank bunds as tourist spots in Madhira area in Khammam, Rs. 5 crore for developing a tourism circuit in Nizamabad, Rs. 5 crore for developing tourist facilities at Basara.
Besides, Rs. 11 crore was also sanctioned for development of other tourist spots in Adilabad district. As his Ministry would not give funds for development of temples he had pursued the case of Ramappa temple in dilapidated condition in Warangal district with Culture Ministry and got Rs. 5 crore sanctioned for its restoration. He was also pursuing sanction of funds for restoration of the 1,000-pillar temple at Hanamkonda.
The Minister stated that bilateral tourism agreements were entered into with 11 countries including Japan, New Zealand, Finland and others after he took up the matter with the Foreign/Home Ministries. Similar process in case of another 6 countries was in progress and it was proposed with 17 more countries.
New simplified immigration/embarkation/disembarkation cards were being introduced from July as the existing proforma was consuming over 30 minutes to fill.
Earlier, the pictorial book was released by Paripurnanda Swami of Sripeetham. Chairman and Managing Director of Namasthe Telangana C.L. Rajam said they would also bring out such books on the temples in Rayalaseema and Coastal Andhra regions soon.
Minister for Major Industries J. Geeta Reddy, MP T. Subbirami Reddy and others also spoke.
