Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 18: The MLAs of ruling as well as Opposition parties today grilled the Government over delay in execution of tourism projects in different parts of the State.
While raising the issue during the Question Hour in the Legislative Assembly, BJP MLA from Nowshera said, “Union Tourism Ministry is liberal in providing funds for the development of tourism sector in Jammu and Kashmir but its main area of concern is delay in submission of projects by the State Government”.
“Whenever we approached the Union Tourism Ministry we were conveyed that State is not prompt in submitting projects for execution under Centrally Sponsored Schemes”, he added.
While drawing the attention of the House towards some tourist spots in his constituency particularly Gangaghat, the BJP MLA sought to know the latest status of the Detailed Project Reports (DPRs).
Two more BJP MLAs—Neelam Langeh of Ramban and Shakti Raj Parihar of Doda also expressed concern over delay in start of water sports and eco-tourism activities in the reservoir of Baglihar Hydroelectric Project.
“During the past three years we are being told that Detailed Project Report has been prepared and funds have also been sanctioned but on ground no step has been initiated to start water sports and eco-tourism activities”, they said.
National Conference MLA Ali Mohammad Sagar asked, “how can the Government promote border tourism when there is no peace on the border”.
Alleging that consultants for Rs 800 crore worth projects have been engaged without following the procedure and rules, he asked the Government to inform the House the criteria adopted by the Tourism Department in this regard.
PDP MLA Yawar Mir wanted to know from the Government the reason behind awarding all the tourism projects to National Building Construction Corporation (NBCC) and said, “the Corporation is not executing the projects at the required pace”.
Congress MLA from Inderwal Ghulam Mohammad Saroori expressed concern over inaction on the assurances given by the Tourism Minister to him regarding development of tourist spots during last Budget Session.
However, the Minister of State for Tourism Priya Sethi was not able to give any convincing reply to the ruling as well as Opposition MLAs which prompted the Education Minister Altaf Bukhari to intervene.
“As far as engagement of consultants is concerned the Government will come up with facts and figures”, he said, adding “NBCC has been selected by the Government of India itself but it is a fact that the Corporation is delaying the projects and this issue will be taken up with the Central Government”.
However, the Opposition MLAs expressed dis-satisfaction over the reply.
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