Chapter II INSTITUTIONAL FRAMEWORK

(1) The State Government shall, as soon as possible after the commencement of this Act, but not later than six months from the date of commencement of this Act by notification, constitute a council to be called the “Karnataka State Tourism Council” (hereinafter referred to as “the Council”) consisting of the following members, namely;-

1. (a) The Chief Minister, Government of Karnataka Chairperson
2. (b) The Minister for Tourism, Government of Karnataka Vice Chairperson
3. (c) The Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Department of Tourism Member
4. (d) The Principal Secretary to Government, Department of Finance Member
5. (e) The Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Department of Home Member
6. (f) The Principal Secretary to Government, Department of Infrastructure development Member
7. (g) The Secretary to Government, Department of Information Technology Member
8. (h) The Principal Secretary to Government, Department of Revenue Member
   • (i) The Principal Secretary to Government, Department of Public Works and Inland water transport Member
9. (j) The Principal Secretary to Government, Department of Kannada, Culture and Information Member
10. (k) The Additional Chief Secretary to Government, Department of Forest, Ecology and Environment Member
11. (l) The Director, Department of Tourism Member Secretary
12. (m) Six members nominated by the State Government from amongst the concerned stakeholders of travel and tourism sector having adequate knowledge and professional experience of at least fifteen years in their respective field and in a position to provide insights in formulating strategies for promotion of tourism in the State of which atleast one shall be a person belonging to the Scheduled

Castes or the Scheduled Tribes and one shall be a woman. Non-official Members

Provided that, the Chairperson may invite any person as he deems necessary to be a special invitee to the Council.

1. (2) The headquarters of the Council shall be at Bengaluru or at such other place as may be notified by the Government. 1[3-A. District Level Monitoring Committee.- (1) There shall be constituted a District Level

Monitoring Committee to review and submit the proposal regarding facilitation, regulating and promotion of tourism trade in the jurisdiction of the concerned District.

1. (2) The District Level Monitoring Committee shall consist of the following members, namely:-
   • (a) The Deputy Commissioner of the concerned District Ex-officio Chairperson
   • (b) The Superintendent of Police of the concerned District Ex-officio member
   • (c) The Chief Executive Officer of Zilla Panchayat of the concerned District Ex-officio member
   • (d) The Deputy Conservator of forest of the concerned District Ex-officio member
   • (e) The Superintending Engineer, Public Works Department of the concerned Jurisdictional District Ex-officio member
   • (f) The Deputy Director of Archaeological Department of the concerned District Ex-officio member
   • (g) Three members nominated by the State Government and three members nominated by the District Committee from amongst the concerned stakeholders of travel and tourism sector having adequate knowledge and professional experience in their respective fields of which at least one shall be a person belonging to the Scheduled Caste or Scheduled Tribes and one person belonging to the Backward Classes: Provided that out of six members one member shall be a woman. Members
   • (h) The Deputy Director, Tourism, Department of the concerned District Ex-officio member Secretary
2. (3) The District Level Monitoring Committee shall submit suitable proposals to the State Tourism Council for the works/proposals to be undertaken in respect of their departments within the jurisdiction of the concerned district.]

¹ Inserted by Act 57 of 2025 w.e.f.10.09.2025.

(1) Subject to the pleasure of the Government, the nominated non-official members shall hold office for a period not exceeding three years. However, the non-official members may be reappointed for a further period of three years. (2) A non-official member may resign his office by writing in person addressed to the Government but shall continue in office until his resignation is accepted. (3) A non-official member shall receive such allowances as may be provided in regulations.

1. (2) A non-official member may resign his office by writing in person addressed to the Government but shall continue in office until his resignation is accepted.
2. (3) A non-official member shall receive such allowances as may be provided in regulations.

(1) The chairperson shall have powers of general superintendence and directions in the conduct of the affairs of the Council.

1. (2) The chairperson shall, preside over the meetings of the council as well as exercise and discharge the powers and functions of the council as are vested in him in accordance with the regulations.

(1) The council shall meet at such times and places and observe such procedure in regard to transaction of business at the meetings including the quorum as may be provided in the regulations.

1. (2) When the chairperson of the council, or in his absence the vice-chairperson, and in the absence of both the chairperson and the Vice-chairperson, any other member chosen by the members present from amongst themselves shall preside over the meeting of the council.
2. (3) All questions at a meeting of the council shall be decided by a majority of the votes of the members present and voting and, in the case of any equality of votes, the person presiding shall have a second or casting vote.
3. (4) No act or proceeding of the council shall be invalid merely by reason of, -
   • (a) any vacancy in, or any defect in the constitution of the council; or
   • (b) any defect in the appointment of a person acting as a chairperson or vice-chairperson or member of the council; or
   • (c) any irregularity in the procedure of the council not affecting the merits of the case.

(a) act as an apex body in the matter relating to the development and promotion of tourism; (b) make recommendations to the Government on the matter relating to development and promotion of tourism; (c) advise and give suggestions to the Government tourism entities in discharge of its functions under this Act; (d) coordinate and support marketing or promotion activity in relation to tourism conducted by the Government tourism entities; (e) work collaboratively with Central Government, neighbouring states and other tourism related agencies to develop state tourism sector; and (f) any other powers or functions as may be prescribed. (2) The council shall have power to do all things expedient or reasonably necessary for, or incidental to, the performance of its functions. (3) The council may through regulations establish one or more committees as it may deem necessary to assist council in carrying out its functions and may vest such of its functions as it considers appropriate to the committees so established. (4) All proceedings of the council shall be authenticated by the member secretary.