Peace imperative for tourism promotion: Jora

AHERBAL: Minister for Tourism and Culture, Mr Nawang Rigzin Jora in presence of Minister for Social Welfare, Ms Sakina Itoo today inaugurated tourist facilities, which included 4 two bed huts, cafeteria, kiosks at tourist resort Aherbal completed at an accumulated cost of Rs.3.30 crore. They also inaugurated Gujjar Bakerwal Girls hostel there.
Deputy Commissioner, Kulgam, officers from Tourism, Aherbal Development Authority (ADA) besides engineers of R&B departments were present on the occasion.
Speaking people, Mr. Jora said that peace is imperative for tourism promotion, adding that this year about 11 lakh tourists visited the valley because of peaceful situations. He appealed people to work for peace in which the prosperity of the state is hidden.
The Minister said infrastructure development is basic need for boosting tourism sector and massive tourist infrastructure development programme is underway aimed to facilitate the tourists visiting the valley. He said formation of tourism development authorities (TDA) was aimed to bring more places on the tourism map of the country in order to benefit the people of these areas. “We want to take tourists to the spots other than Gulmarg, Pahalgam and Sonmarg” said the minister, adding that creation of basic facilities would be priority of the Government.
“We want people to take tourism as business activity for which Government will providing financial assistance, the minister said, adding that subsidy is being provided to the beneficiaries.
Ms Sakina while speaking on the occasion said that Government is aware about the problems of the people of the area, including Tangmarg Aherbal, Kongwaton and Kounsarnag. She said apart from opening of score of Anganwari centers in the area, a large number of widows and old persons have been brought under the welfare schemes being run by the Government.
The Minister said that the development works coming up at Aherbal envisages that development tempo started by coalition formation lead by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has been initiated in every nook and corner of the State. She appealed people to work for strengthening the coalition formation.
Responding to public demands, the Minister said Government is working vigorously to generate maximum employment opportunities for educated youth of the State and asked them take benefits of SKEWPY and other policies. Regarding setting up of Kongwaton as tourism development authority (TDA). She said the area has already been brought under the ambit of Aherbal Development Authority and would be developed as a part of it.
The Ministers also inspected the tourist facilities coming up under Kongwaton-Kounsarnag tourist circuit, which included five huts, Dak Bungalow, Cafeteria and look out points. They were informed that Rs. 44 lakh stands expended on the project so for out of estimated cost of Rs. 1.41 crore.