STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Strongly criticising the anti-Jammu mindset of Mufti Mohammed Sayeed for shelving the prestigious artificial Tawi Lake project, All Jammu Hotels and Lodges Association (AJHLA) said that Jammuites were never expecting such a biased and drastic decision from the Chief Minister of the State.
Addressing media persons General Secretary AJHLA, Pawan Gupta said that people were shocked with sudden, insensitive and whimsical decision of Chief Minister for shelving the artificial lake project on flimsy ground.
“Mufti is neither a technical man nor an economist, how he can say that it is not feasible on technical and economical grounds. The fact remains that the lake project was approved in 1986 by the then Governor after getting clearance from the then technical experts, which cannot be challenged by a political leader at this stage, when the project is nearing to completion and supposed to be commissioned in December 2015”, he added.
Gupta said that five lakh souls depend on the tourism trade, whose livelihood is at stake. The shelving of the project will further deteriorate the economy of Jammu as the traders are already facing financial losses due to Katra train link extension, he added.
Reminding Mufti about his promises made during electioneering period, Gupta said that Mufti himself publically promised in KC Residency, for completing all ongoing Jammu projects, including this prestigious artificial lake project but it is unfortunate that he (Mufti) has taken U-turn in this specific issue like so many other U-turns taken by him only in the case of Jammu, during his two and half months rule.
Gupta asked Deputy Chief Minister, Dr Nirmal Singh to clear his stand on the issue particularly in view of his recent meeting with Union Minister for Human Resources, Uma Bharti, in which he has sought financial assistance for completion of the Jammu lake project. He wondered over criminal silence maintained by the elected MLAs, MLCs and MPs of BJP besides other BJP functionaries over the issue.
Gupta warned of 2008 like situation with people of Jammu coming on roads in case the shelving of Lake Project is not withdrawn. Baldev Raj, M.L Sharma, H.S Manhas and Sunil Suri were also present in the press conference.
