Jammu, Feb 6, KNT: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said the issue of continued closure of certain tourist destinations following the Pahalgam attack will be taken up with the Union Home Minister, stressing that prolonged restrictions were affecting the tourism sector across Jammu and Kashmir.
Responding in the Assembly, the Chief Minister said Jammu and Kashmir has tourism potential in almost every region and that focused efforts were needed to promote destinations rather than restrict them indefinitely. He said the time had come to review the closure of tourist spots and hold discussions with the Home Minister on reopening them in a calibrated manner.
Omar Abdullah also acknowledged long standing problems in the tourism registration framework, describing the process as cumbersome and outdated. He said the registration system, in place since 1978, required urgent simplification to encourage ease of doing business in the tourism sector.
“I am ashamed that during my six year tenure earlier, this could not be done,” the Chief Minister said, adding that it was better to act late than not at all. He clarified that the registration process could not be linked to the Public Services Guarantee Act as penalties under the law were limited and ineffective.
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The Chief Minister said efforts were underway to simplify the process of obtaining no objection certificates, which he described as a major source of delay and corruption. He said the aim was to reduce bureaucratic hurdles while ensuring accountability.
Omar Abdullah said tourism had a direct or indirect link with nearly every area that possessed natural or cultural potential. He added that shikaras, houseboats and taxis would be brought under revised guidelines, with procedures simplified to ensure transparency and curb corrupt practices.
He said the government was committed to creating a tourism friendly environment that balanced security concerns with economic growth and livelihood generation for locals dependent on the sector. [KNT]
