Chief Minister DK Shivakumar declared Friday that Tulu will hold the status of the state's second additional administrative language, applicable specifically to Udupi and Dakshina Kannada districts. The announcement, made after a Cabinet meeting in Mangaluru, marks a significant administrative shift for the Tulu-speaking population. Shivakumar stated the language carries substantial potential for educational and cultural expansion in the region.
The Cabinet note, shared by the Chief Minister's Office, formalized the decision to treat Tulu with the same administrative weight as Kannada in those two districts. This move directly responds to long-standing demands from local communities for linguistic recognition.
Concurrently, the government approved a separate tourism policy for coastal Karnataka and the Malnad region. Tourism projects in these areas will now be classified as infrastructure projects, making them eligible for specific financial incentives. Shivakumar emphasized that investors in these greenfield sectors, often hit by prolonged monsoons, will receive extended timelines to repay loans.
The state also greenlit the Karnataka Marine Biotechnology Policy for 2026-31. A key component involves upgrading an existing college into a Fisheries, Marine and Blue Economy University, expanding its intake from 60 to 200 seats.
On the proposal to rename Dakshina Kannada district as Mangaluru district, Shivakumar said the government will issue a draft notification. Public opinion will be sought for one month before a final decision, weighing local sentiments against traditional associations with the current name.