PROMOTION OF TOURISM IN JAMMU
Rana slams BJP for surrendering before PDP
Special Correspondent
JAMMU: The BJP MLA from R S Pura Dr Gagan Bhagat on Monday left its own party minister MoS Tourism Priya Sethi red faced when he termed her reply as ‘misleading’ on boosting tourism sector in Jammu region followed by walkout.
Meanwhile, National Conference MLA Devender Singh Rana raised the concern of tourism sector in Jammu region and slammed BJP for surrendering before PDP, which was followed by walkout by entire opposition.
The BJP MLA, who sought detail on present status of the development of tourist spots in Jammu region including under construction Artificial Lake Project in River Tawi, MoS Tourism Priya Sethi replied that the work on design and construction of barrage across river Tawi Belicharana Jammu, which is a part of Artificial Lake has been taken for execution for Irrigation and Flood Control Department at an estimated cost of Rs 69.70 crore. An amount of Rs 57.35 crore stands released or utilised till March, 2016 and 80 per cent of the work has been completed.
While the minister was replying in the House, NC members created ruckus asserting that it is nine-page reply and let it be considered as read but the Minister in-charge reacted to it asserting that the written reply comprised of complete details with facts and figures and she wanted to read it in the House.
On this, the BJP MLA Dr Gagan Bhagat, who had raised the question, said that the Government is ‘misleading’ the House with regard to 80 per cent work having been completed.
“This is all rubbish and House Committee should be constituted to find out the facts,” said the MLA.
NC MLA Ali Mohammad Sagar said that if the BJP MLA is challenging the Minister that means the matter is serious. He urged the Speaker to look into it.
NC MLA Devender Singh Rana, protested in the well of the House, saying that the Government is befooling the people of Jammu.
Supported by NC and Congress members, entire opposition staged walkout from the House.
Bhagat expressed resentment over the reply and tore the written reply in the House followed by walkout.
NC MLA Waqar Rasool raised the issue of neglected Kishtwar, Doda and Ramban belts of the region by the government on tourism map as there is no development at all.
Former Minister and sitting Independent MLA and Pawan Gupta said, ”Yeh Jammu Ke Saath Dhokha Hai. (Jammu has been ditched), adding, ”Where is the claim of making Jammu an independent tourist destination.”
Major tourism spots in the Jammu region are ignored and being intentionally not developed by the PDP Government, only to appease Kashmir.
Speaking to reporters outside the House later, the minister said the MLA has ‘misinterpreted’ that reply.
“Most of the works are under progress and many of them are mega projects,” she said adding that development cannot be done overnight and the government is taking care of all the sectors in the region.
Rana also spoke to the media later outside the House and said, “The government is completely ignoring Jammu and the tourist destinations.”
He said the ‘voice of Jammu is being suppressed’ by the PDP-BJP Government, adding, “Jammu is being discriminated under well planned conspiracy.”
“BJP has surrendered before the ruling PDP, which has no interest in Jammu”, he said adding that areas like Sanasar, Mansar, Jhajjar Kotli are being neglected. He said the day BJP had alliance with PDP, they surrendered at Jammu’s cost.
Earlier in the House, despite written reply torn out by the BJP member, Minister of State for Tourism went on giving the details saying that the famous Gharana Wetland Conservation Reserve has been notified under Section 17(I) of J and K Wildlife Protection Act 1978 as Wetland Reserve by the Forest and Wildlife Department. For the beautification of surrounding of Lake Gharana, a project has been formulated on the pattern of modern village involving a budgeted cost of Rs 10.55 crore.
Giving details of various developmental initiatives taken for the promotion of tourism in Jammu province, the Minister said the holy Shrine of Baba Chamlayal at Ramgarh, Vijaypur on Indo-Pak border has already been developed by the Department with central financial assistance of Rs 159.61 crore.
The main components of the project are Tourist Reception Centre, Amphitheatre, Ceremonial Postage sitting for public and development of pond and tiling etc. Besides, the Tourism Department has taken up various works for development of Baba Chamlayal and Baba Sidh Goria and Purmandal under state plan, which are at different stages of completion, said the minister.
Regarding the progress of Cable Car Project, Jammu, the Minister said the project comprises two phases. Phase-I from Peerkho (near Mubarak Mandi) to Mahamaya Park comprising a length of 1137 meters, and Phase-II from Mahamaya Park to Shahabad with a length of 453 meters has been taken up under state plan at a cost of Rs 60 crore. The progress of allied work is underway, said the minister.
The minister further stated that the Union Ministry for Tourism has sanctioned a Rural Tourism Project at a cost of Rs 69 lakh for the development of Jhiri Shrine in Marh Constituency, wherein several components have been completed. Besides, the construction works of Darshani Deodi, toilets, change rooms, shelter sheds have also been taken up under State Plan at a cost of Rs 80 lakh, said the minister.
Regarding the promotion of Peer-ki-Gali at Poonch as tourist spot, the minister informed that a comprehensive project has been sanctioned and taken up for execution under Prime Minister’s Development Package (PMDP) at a cost of Rs 2.40 crore by Union Ministry of Tourism during the current financial year.
In order to extend the stay of tourists visiting Patnitop and Sanasar circuit, the Mantalai-Sudhmahadev and Patnitop are being developed as independent tourist destinations at a sanctioned cost of Rs 97.82 crore under the circuit “Integrated Development of Tourist Facilities at Mantalai-Sudhmahadev-Patnitop Circuit”. Under this ambitious programme, the Government will set up a Yoga Centre, wellness Spa and Ayurveda complex and open air amphitheatre at Mantalai, tourist cafeteria with hall, convenience centre with lounge at Sudhmahadev and Patnitop.
The minister also gave details and status of several developmental initiatives which are underway for the promotion of tourism sector in different areas of Jammu division including Suchetgarh, Akhnoor, Katra, Surinsar, Mansar, Jammu city, Nowshera, Rajouri, Thanda Kahassi, Bhadarwah, Baghihar Dam-Pul Doda, Ranjit Sagar Dam, Gulabgarh, Jhajjar Kotli, Panchari, Sehar Baba Reasi, Didhra Gold Course, Tata Pani Rajouri, Qilla Dantitop, Loran/Jallian Park, Noori Chamb, etc.
On behalf of the Government, Education Minister Naeem Akhter said that the Member has raised a specific question on Artificial Lake and it is a major concept.
Meanwhile, responding to the queries of the media-persons outside the Legislature complex regarding the progress of the project, the Education Minister said the Jammu Artificial Lake is a multi-phase project involving several departments and the executing agencies.
He said in the Phase-I, work on Design and Construction of barrages across river Tawi near Belicharana, Jammu, which is part of Artificial Lake was taken up for execution by the Irrigation and Flood Control Department at an estimated cost of Rs 69.70 crore, against which Rs 57.35 crore stand released/utilized by ending March 2016.
Giving details Akhtar, who is also the State Government spokesman, said 31 barrages are to be constructed by the Irrigation and Flood Control Department on river Tawi near Belicharana as part of the Artificial Lake project.
He said out of these 20 barrages are to be constructed on Nikki Tawi and 11 barrages on Baddi Tawi.
“While 11 barrages on Baddi Tawi stand fully completed and gated, the gates for 20 barrages constructed on Nikki Tawi are ready and shall be installed soon,” he said adding this amounts to 80 per cent physical and financial progress of the works on the project which are to be executed by the Irrigation and Flood Control Department.
The minister said in the Phase-II of the Artificial Lake Project, the beautification and embankment works are to be taken up under Tawi River Front Development Project for which MoU has already been signed by Jammu Development Authority (JDA) with the Sabarmati River Front Development Corporation (SRFDC) and a Detailed Project Report (DPR) has been prepared in this regard.
“Work on Phase-II would be taken up for execution soon,” he said and added it also involves diversion of around 14 sewage channels presently draining directly into River Tawi.
“These sewage channels are to be diverted to ensure pollution free water flows into the Artificial Lake,” he said and added that a comprehensive action plan has been worked out by the Housing and Urban Development Department in this regard.
The minister said that in addition beautification works are also to be carried out along the banks of the River Tawi by the Tourism Department and as part of the beautification project a Park was inaugurated by the former Chief Minister, Mufti Mohammad Sayeed in the area in 2015.
The minister reiterated the government’s commitment to develop Jammu as an independent tourism destination for which, he said several flagship projects are apace in varied sectors.
The minister accused the opposition of raising rhetorical noises over non-existent issues as, according to him, they have failed to act as a responsible and responsive opposition.
