Kerala to invest Rs 400 crore in tourism

Kerala will invest Rs 4 billion (Rs 400 crore) in the tourism sector in the current fiscal, State Minister for Home and Tourism Kodiyeri Balakrishnan has said.

The amount will be utilised for developing infrastructure facilities, he said, adding, revenue from tourism during 2009-10 was Rs 130 billion (Rs 13,000 crore) in the state. Government in co-operation with public sector enterprises and Union Government has formulated projects for promoting tourism, Balakrishnan said at a public meeting to compliment Kumarakom Panchayat for its role in promoting 'responsible' tourism on Tuesday.

Tourism destination centres will be set up in the state, he said. In another function to lay the foundation stone for a police station building at Thalayolaparambu, Balakrishnan said people friendly (Janamayithri) police stations will be set up in 100 more stations.

At present there were 43 such stations in the state. The minister said stringent action would be taken against policemen who adopt third degree methods for proving crime. Scientific methods should be used,he added.