Economic package for Jammu tourism

Sir,

Apropos of the news item 'Develop Jammu as independent tourist destination', it may be said that the demand made by the Jammu Hotel Restaurant and Bar Association is quite genuine. There is no doubt that Jammu region has rich tourist potential. The only thing that the Government has to do is to exploit it the hilt. There are certain places in Doda, Rajouri and Poonch which are equally beautiful as that of Kashmir.

These places are known for their scenic beauty, shimmering water, art and crafts, cuisine, inns, forts and places of historical importance. These virgin valleys, however, lack in infrastructure, hotels, restaurants and connectivity. The roads connecting these places with Jammu are bad is shape. Damaged roads have not been repaired so far.

Moreover, the tele-communication facilities are also poor. As such tourists, particularly foreign won't go such places which are totally cut off.

Therefore, the Prime Minister Manmohan Singh should announce a special economic package for Jammu so that this region could be brought on the tourist map of India.

Yours etc...
Hemant Kumar
Channi Himmat

Unfinished projects

Sir,

The statement of the Home Minister of India Shivraj Patil that unfinished J&K projects will be completed expeditiously is quite welcome.

If the development projects are executed well in time, it will set Jammu and Kashmir on the path of peace, progress and prosperity. It is an admitted fact that militancy has hit the State Industrial scenario terribly.

This is turn created unemployment among the youth of the State, shattered economy and took the State back to medieval ages.

The generation of power is quite insufficient to meet the requirements of burgeoning population.

This problem has arisen as the State Government could not complete on hand projects. Like wise, the silk industry which provides jobs to lakhs of people is also in doldrums.

There is tremendous scope for exploiting natural wealth in the State.

The necessary thing that is required to do is to provide sufficient infrastructure in the State.

To execute these projects well in time, it is necessary that their is coordination between Central and State Government functionaries. The bureaucratic hurdles that usually delay these project should be removed quickly. Moreover, the projects should be given for execution to only those agencies/contractors who are reputed, honest and transparent in their approach.

Yours etc...
Virender Kumar
Gandhi Nagar