(1) For the development of various tourist destinations in the State, the Department of Tourism shall make efforts by inviting and encouraging the private sector or Corporates to bring in private sector investment in developing, promoting, operating and maintaining tourism infrastructure and facilities in an integrated manner.
(2) The department of Tourism may initiate any scheme and programme for development of Tourist Destination at such intervals as it may deem fit.
CHAPTER – VI TOURIST MITRA
18. Appointment of Tourist Mitra- (1) The department of Tourism may, for each of the districts in the State of Karnataka, deploy required number of members as Tourist Mitras.
(2) Subject to other provisions of these rules, the Department of Tourism may in consultation with Home Guard Commandant, deploy Home guards appointed under the Karnataka Home Guards Act, 1962 as Tourist Mitras.
(3) The Tourist Mitra deployed under sub-rule (2) above shall be fit and willing to serve as Tourist Mitra and shall undergo necessary training required for the purpose in accordance with these Rules.
(4) Every Tourist Mitra shall be considered as Special Police Officers under the Karnataka Police Act, 1963 and shall be authorized to effectively discharge his duties under these rules.
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19. Eligibility conditions for Tourist Mitra- (1) The candidate to be deployed as Tourist Mitra must have passed SSLC or equivalent examination.
(2) The age of the person seeking to be deployed as Tourist Mitra shall not be less than 18 years and more than 45 years for general category and 48 years for the persons belonging to Scheduled Castes or Scheduled Tribes and widow, as on the first day of the month of April of the year during which such deployments are made.
(3) The person seeking to be deployed as Tourist Mitra shall have minimum of three years’ experience as home guards.
20. Training of Tourist Mitra-(1) Home Guards deployed shall undergo training under the supervision and guidance of the prescribed authority. For imparting training to the Tourist Mitra on tourism related matters, persons of eminence in tourism sector shall be identified. Training to the candidates shall include practical under the supervision of Karnataka State Police Department, Home Guard Department or any other agency as may be identified by Department of Tourism.
(2)The syllabus for training of Tourist Mitra, period of training for each subject shall be as specified in Schedule B. The course structure and detailed syllabus for training of Tourist Mitra may be modified from time to time by the Department of Tourism in consultation with Home Department and Karnataka State Police Department.