No plans on casino tourism in Karnataka, says minister C T Ravi

UDUPI: Tourism minister C T Ravi on Saturday said that he has not announced the opening of casinos in Karnataka. However, he said casinos are common in foreign countries.
“People from Karnataka spend money in casinos in Goa and foreign countries, generating good income for them,” he said, adding that casinos play a big role in developing tourism.
“But I have no plans to open casinos in Karnataka. As Indians splurge money at casinos in Goa and Sri Lanka, India is losing out on foreign exchange revenue. If there is any option to stop this, I will extend all help. We need to create jobs here,” he added.
“Though I had mentioned that village tourism and heritage tourism, media highlighted only the casino aspect of tourism. There are no plans to set up a casino or a pub. Our department has not taken any decision in this regard. It needs permission from the home ministry too,” he explained.
The minister said he has no information about the staff of Koti Chennaiah Park in Karkala not being paid salary.
“The local administration is supposed to manage it. If it has not, I will look into the issue,” he said. Speaking on the sedition issue, Ravi said a particular section of people raise ‘Pakisthan Zindabad’ slogans, and they are encouraged by a some vested interests. “Who are they? Living here, they hail another country. It’s a serious issue, and the authorities will take strict action against them,” he said.