JAMMU: Celebration of Baisakhi festival was cancelled at Octroi Post in RS Pura Sector here near the Indo-Pak border as a senior Jammu and Kashmir Minister did not turn up for the inauguration.
“All arrangements were made, stage was decorated for celebrating the Baisakhi festival this morning at Octroi Post in RS Pura sector,” sources here said.
However, a senior Cabinet Minister, who was supposed to inaugurate the festival, did not turn up at the event.
“The senior BJP Minister did not arrive at the venue, but a message was received that due to his busy schedule, he will not attend the function,” said an official.
He further said that the event was postponed for tomorrow, adding, “the artists who had to perform in inaugural function, have returned.”
“If the Minister was supposed to inaugurate the event as per schedule, then why he postponed the programme for tomorrow,” Balwant Singh, a border resident asked.
He lamented that crores of rupees were being spent to promote tourism by organising such events, but it was unfortunate that the political leaders were not bothered. “How will tourism flourish in the State, if ssuch festivals are taken for granted,” rued the local villagers, who had set up stalls in view of Festival celebrations.
Earlier, the organisers had shifted the venue of ‘Jammu Mahotsav’ from Bagh-e-Bahu to Maulana Azad Stadium, which also invited criticism from the locals. (AGENCIES)
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