STATE TIMES NEWS
JAMMU: Former Minister J&K and senior Congress leader Yogesh Sawhney on Saturday condemned J&K UT government for fixing timings of Chashm-e-Shahi garden between 10 AM and 5 PM. Criticizing the policy, he said that while all gardens will remain open till 8 PM, the Chashm-e-Shahi gardens will be closed for public at 5 PM merely for bureaucratic convenience. “Restrictions on visiting hours have never existed before, even during peak of terrorism in the region. Today, the place attracts tourists in massive numbers and yet LG administration has placed this barrier. Chashm-e-Shahi is a beautiful cultural spot as one of the Mughal gardens built back in 1632. However, after 5 PM people are not allowed to enter,” he said.
Sawhney further added that it is result of bureaucrats misusing their powers for their own benefit and convenience. “The timings have been set keeping in mind that bureaucrats and officials aren’t disturbed. It is a very wrong step as far as people are concerned and the LG administration should rethink on this immediately and change the timings. Surprisingly, not even during the worst of times were visiting hours shortened to this extent and there is no sensible reason why they should be this way now. People should have access to the gardens and allowed to enjoy the same within a reasonable span during a day,” said Sawhney. Demanding that Government must extend visiting hours for public to Chashm-e-Shahi garden, Sawhney said that bureaucrats should not be allowed to misuse their powers for their convenience.
