BILAL HUSSAIN
The Jammu and Kashmir government’s non-seriousness could be gauged by the fact that on one side the politicians claims that the tourism industry is the main stay of the state’s economy on other side the state is yet to have a ‘tourism policy’, said the Valley hoteliers under the banner of Kashmir Hotel and Restaurant Association (KHARA) Thursday in a press conference here.
The President KHARA, Siraj Ahmad, said, “It is quite surprising that the state has no tourism policy in place till date.” The KHARA is of the firm view that a comprehensive tourism policy would act as a proper guide for over all planned and organized growth of tourism industry, particularly in respect of its promotion, infrastructure building, and many other related things. “We have been urging the government since long to have such a policy in place, but as of now there is no tourism policy with the state government,” he maintained.
The KHARA president in the press-conference made an announcement that their association will soon come up with the paper on tourism policy.
The KHARA members said that the renewal of registration at present is one of the burning issues in respect of hotel and restaurant industry. Basically, hotels, guest houses and restaurant are duly registered with the department of tourism and they are required to seek its renewal from the department. Now the department of tourism has almost made it mandatory to obtain letter of consent from State Pollution Control Board (SPCB). Viewing the importance of renewal of registration certificate, the association deemed it fit and proper to have a joint meeting of the tourism, environment and ecology ministers which was held at Jammu. “No concrete measures were taken in this regard till date. The government should exempt the hostels and restaurants from SPCB consent as it is cumbersome process,” he added.
While alleging the department for discrimination Sirj said that in Jammu the department provides the registration certificate without asking for SPCB consent letter. “Why are we being asked for it as the tourism industry bore the brunt of over past 20 years that too particularly in the Valley?”
The association also raised other issues as well like:
TAX HOLIDAY
Keeping in view both, the importance and plight of Hotel and Restaurant Industry, we plead that Hotel and Restaurant Industry be granted a complete Tax Holiday in respect of VAT.
CONFLICT INSURANCE
The Hotel and Restaurant industry should be provided with the insurance schemes as to secure their investments.
CITY OF SRINAGAR
City, the capital is considered to be the face of a state and city always reflects the first impression to a visitor or a tourist. However, in Kashmir its city “SRINAGAR” presents an ugly look. It has been virtually turned into a garbage bin. Nothing in the city is in proper condition, may it be roads, drainage and sewerage system, electricity, traffic, water bodies, heritage sites, tourist sites, even if we see the condition of the Capital of the city LAL CHOWK, it speaks for itself. We may not hesitate to state that we are living in a city which indeed is poor, both in hygienic and civic sense as well. To start with, main Tourist areas like Boulevard and around, Lal Chowk, and other Tourist areas may be considered to be taken in hand for their face lifting on priority basis.
Viewing the present poor scenario of the city of Srinagar, it very much becomes imperative for the Ministry of Finance of the State to take all measures to ensure healthier infrastructure in the city of Srinagar for the betterment of Tourism. Government intervention as regards the face-lifting of Srinagar city is necessary and appropriate allocation of special funds be earmarked to meet the purpose.
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