MALU KERNI
The tall and glittering claims of the present Coalition Government on improvement of infrastructure for trade promotion in Jammu and Kashmir are exposed as the Exhibition Ground near Press Club, Jammu is a visible reminder of the callous attitude of the authorities, who have failed to maintain it.
The main aim of the exhibition ground was to provide a platform to the manufacturers of the State to showcase their products and look for new markets but the ground itself is in a very pathetic condition and has become a victim of neglect.
The whole ground is filled with filth and mud has covered the whole area. The filth scattered around not only raises an unbearable stink, but makes it impossible for the pedestrians to walk in that mud. It is pertinent to mention here that only few weeks are left now for the annual Amarnath Yatra to begin and many Sadhus and pilgrims take shelter there but no initiative has been taken by the concerned authorities to maintain the premises.
If we have a look at this ground, the very first thing we are going to notice is the filth and mud that has covered the whole area. Nothing has been done to improve the sanitation. Moreover, as a result of high winds and light rainfall leaves have flooded the entire place. There is nothing wrong to say that the place has turned into a junkyard.
The fountains installed here are crying for maintenance and most of them are non functional waiting for the mercy of the department for their repair. Though several government departments are working here in different buildings but still no effort has been made by any of them for the past many years nor anything has been done by the Industries Department to improve the condition of the trade promotion centre.
Due to lack of facilities and pathetic condition the centre has failed to attract the business community.
“It is really sad that our State Government on regular basis keeps on announcing that exhibitions would be round-the-year feature to attract tourists. With the formation of new PDP-BJP led government many people running small scale industries were hoping that the new government would take appropriate steps to improve their condition and a proper platform would be provided to the small scale industries to give a boost to the economic development of the people but no effort has been made to organise any exhibition or any such event. Moreover, the ground itself is in a pathetic condition and no one is there to look after the same,” said Manish Mahajan, a businessman.
The lackadaisical attitude of the government and concerned departments towards the exhibition ground has washed off the dreams of the small scale industries and the neglected approach of the department has made people think that ‘All that glitters is not gold’.
