‘535 farmers committed suicide in Karnataka in two years’

On steps taken by the Government to prevent such cases,he said seeds,tractors,power tillers and other hitech agricultural equipments,drip and sprinkler irrigation units are being distributed at subsidised rates among others.

Besides,crop loans at three per cent interest were being distributed in the current financial year,he said.

Meanwhile,Tourism Minister G Janardhana Reddy said Rs 614.4 lakh has been sanctioned for development of tourist facilities and signages near beach resorts of Gokarna,Kasarakodu,Thrasi,St Mary Island,Malpe,Tannirbhavi and Panambur in the coastal districts of Uttara Kannada,Dakshina Kannada and Udupi.

He said the Nandi Hills near Bangalore was being developed as a hill station at a cost of Rs 1.03 crore.

Reddy said 56 hotels are under the control of Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation — 24 run by it,21 being run by private agencies on a lease basis,while the remaining 11 are proposed to be given to private parties.

During question hour,Chief Minister B S Yeddyurappa said the government is mulling over a scheme to make 114 taluks,identified as backward by the Committee headed by Dr D M Nanjundappa on eradication of regional imbalances,as huts-free taluks.