Mangaluru : Tourism Minister R.V. Deshpande here on Friday questioned Deputy Commissioner A.B. Ibrahim about the delay on the part of the district administration in submitting proposals for development of five beaches in the city. After the inauguration of the three-day Indian Open of Surfing on Sasihitlu Beach, Mr. Deshpande said that the district has so far not submitted proposals for the development of Someshwara, Ullal, Surathkal, Talapady and Sultan Battery beaches for which Rs. 13.72 crore has been earmarked. There is a plan to develop 23 beaches in Dakshina Kannada, Udupi and Uttara Kannada, using funds granted by the Union Government.

“Work has already begun in Uttara Kannada and Udupi districts. Dakshina Kannada has so far not placed any such proposal,” he said.

Mr. Deshpande asked district in-charge Minister B. Ramanath Rai to send the proposals at the earliest. When Mr. Ibrahim told Mr. Deshpande that the proposals were sent in January, Mr. Deshpande said, “I reviewed the progress made yesterday. I did not find anything related to Dakshina Kannada.”

Mr. Deshpande asked Mr. Ibrahim to ensure that the proposals are filed before the Tourism Department at the earliest.

Meanwhile, Mr. Deshpande told reporters that he has been pursing with the Ministry of Environment of Forests the long-pending demand of relaxing Coastal Regulatory Zone in the State that will help in tourism development. “Recently, I met (Union Minister) Prakash Javadekar. He told me that the draft for relaxing CRZ is pending approval of the Prime Minister,” he said.

Mr. Deshpande said that the Tourism Department was working on having an annual calendar of events happening in the State. Events such as Beach Utsav, Karavali Utsav, surfing festival and scuba diving competition should be announced a year early. This will help people in planning their tours and attend those events.