MLAs seek divisional status for Chenab Region, two NLU campuses
Gopal Sharma
JAMMU, Feb 18: Promotion and balanced development of tourism in the Jammu region dominated discussion in the Legislative Assembly today during debate on grants of departments held by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, with MLAs across party lines seeking urgent steps to tap the region’s vast potential.
The legislators also demanded that stalled tourism projects be resumed expeditiously and eco and border tourism projects be completed at the earliest.
During participation in the discussion on grants pertaining to General Administration, Planning, Monitoring and Development, Information, Power, Finance, Parliamentary Affairs, Law and Justice, Revenue, Housing, Tourism, Hospitality and Protocol, Estates, Culture and Disaster Management Departments, BJP MLA from Jammu East Yudhvir Sethi thanked the Union Government for starting the Vande Bharat train between Jammu and Srinagar but alleged that the UT Government has ignored Jammu’s tourism potential.
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He pointed to the absence of a Tourism Department stall at Jammu Tawi Railway Station to guide tourists about the prominent tourist and pilgrim destinations in the region and said Kashmir’s attractions are projected more while scenic locations in Jammu are overlooked.
He flagged pending projects including the Light and Sound Show at Bagh-e-Bahu, ropeway project from Peer Kho to Mohmaya temple and poor upkeep of JKTDC restaurants, and sought diversification of tourist inflow.
Senior BJP MLA from Jammu North, Sham Lal Sharma called for a religious tourist circuit connecting prominent shrines and early completion of projects like Tawi Artificial Lake and Mubarak Mandi Conservation Project.
He stressed transparency in fund allotment and suggested constitution of a committee of Housing and Urban Development Department bodies with local MLAs as members.
He also demanded regularization of colonies, filling of vacant posts in a time-bound manner, elections to Urban Local Bodies and Panchayats and resolution of daily wagers’ issues.
BJP MLA from Basohli, Darshan Singh sought focused promotion of tourist destinations in his constituency, demanding mini-cruise and boating facilities at Ranjit Sagar Dam, revival of Rs 100 crore Sewa-III project, a mini-secretariat for Basohli, compensation and jobs for affected families and installation of a sewage treatment plant.
Independent MLA from Bani Dr Rameshwar Singh said the Sarthal Winter Festival was a grand success and demanded regular such initiatives and promotion of Chaldar meadows as a tourist destination.
NC MLA from Ramban Arjun Singh Raju sought expediting work on Sanasar Golf Course and completion of the Rs 7 crore laser light and sound project at Sanasar.
He demanded that all tehsil-level offices operate from Rajgarh, setting up of a cultural centre at Ramban, divisional-level status to Chenab region with headquarters at Batote, construction of a new District Courts complex at Ramban and expediting work on Raika High Court Complex in Jammu.
NC MLA from Buddhal Javed Iqbal stressed development of tourist spots in Rajouri without harming the environment and suggested an integrated tourism project for local livelihood.
He also raised revenue generation through minerals and revival of traditional food industry, and demanded revival of the old recruitment system.
BJP MLA from Udhampur East R S Pathania highlighted the pending Rs 200 crore Centrally Sponsored tourism project for Mansar and Surinsar lakes, raised the issue of daily wagers and solid waste dumping near Jhajjar Kotli, and demanded two National Law Universities, one each for Jammu and Kashmir.
Independent MLA from Shopian Shabir Kullay called for exploring new tourist destinations in Shopian and raised concern over discrepancies in digitised revenue records despite spending of Rs 2707 crore.
NC MLA Dr Bashir Ahmed Veeri from Bijbehara sought restoration of statehood, praised improvements in the power sector and expressed concern over power tariff hikes, besides seeking diversification of tourist destinations and promotion of Bijbehara as a tourism hub.
NC MLA Salman Sagar from Hazratbal thanked the Chief Minister for reopening tourist destinations and sought beautification of Srinagar and better sanitation.
NC MLA Shamima Firdous from Habba Kadal appreciated reopening of tourist spots and raised concern over recent crime incidents and missing women cases.
BJP MLA from Bahu Vikram Randhawa raised issues of delayed GP fund and pension payments, Schedule-II status for former Legislative Council staff, relief for 22000 SCARD Bank affected families, clearance of SRTC dues and bifurcation of the Housing Board.
BJP MLA from Katra Mata Vaishnodevi Baldev Raj Sharma demanded 24-hour power and water supply for Katra, a water supply scheme from Anas or Chenab river, lifting of 5 pm time bar at Shiv Khori shrine, extension of Katra Municipal Committee area and closure of a wine shop within 8 kms radius.
Congress MLA from Wagoora Irfan Hafiz Lone stressed tapping full hydel power potential, taking back some projects from NHPC, promotion of horticulture and tourism, better road connectivity and cleanliness at tourist destinations and improved stay facilities at Kashmir House in Delhi.
NC MLA Mian Mehar Ali from Kangan demanded opening of Naranag and Chandanwari for tourists, a development package for Sonamarg, heating system at Youth Hostel Sonamarg, a power receiving station and transformer repair workshop at Kangan.
NC MLA Ali Mohd Dar sought compensation for land used for power transmission towers and roads, construction of a Block office complex and reduction of MLA Hostel rent from Rs 500 per month.
NC Chief Whip Mubarak Gul suggested special grants for Jammu and Srinagar, more funds for heritage tourism, district-level recruitment, construction of multi-storey buildings, exclusion of developed areas from RBA category and creamy layer from reservation benefits, and a check on tax leakage.
He lauded the Chief Minister for fiscal discipline and accountability.
Independent MLA from Thannamandi Muzaffar Iqbal Khan highlighted poor power infrastructure, demanded a Munsif court for Manjakot, timely release of gratuity and retirement benefits and legislation on the lines of the Roshni Act with safeguards to regularize land of needy people.
Congress MLA Nizam-ud-Din Bhat raised lack of facilities for Patwaris, sought a sympathetic view on long-possessed land, establishment of cultural centres in each district, a policy for promotion of culture, augmentation of receiving station in his constituency and completion of H&UDD projects.
Earlier, the Chief Minister moved 13 demands and supplementary demands in the House, which were taken up for discussion by Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather.
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