Owais Gul
Pahalgam, May 27 : Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said the Centre will take some major decisions to revive tourism in Jammu and Kashmir and that the sector must remain separate from the prevailing conflict situation.
Addressing a press conference here, the Chief Minister, as per the news agency, said tourism in Kashmir is an economic activity, which helps many people to earn their livelihood.
“Tourism has to be conflict-neutral, like other parts of the country. It is just an economic activity. There are many parameters by which we will measure normalcy; we will continue to do that,” he said.
Omar said the sector is being seen through the prism of politics, but his government will make efforts to ensure that the world will see it through the prism of economic activity and keep it aloof from the situation. He added that they are expecting the gradual revival of tourism in the valley again.
About the conduct of Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, the Chief Minister said, “Like every year, arrangements are being made to ensure smooth and peaceful conduct of the upcoming Amarnath Yatra. We want the yatris to return home safely.”
Omar said he has already discussed the revival of tourism in Jammu and Kashmir with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Home Minister Amit Shah. “I can’t share details here, but the Centre will come up with major decisions for the revival of tourism. I have also raised the issue related to the security of tourists with the Home Minister,” he said.
During the recent NITI Ayog, the CM said he talked to the Prime Minister with regard to the revival of tourism. “Some concrete measures will be taken by the centre for the revival of tourism here,” he said.
Abdullah said tourism cannot be revived without ensuring security for visitors, adding that the talks in this regard have already been started.
“The tourism sector falls under my jurisdiction, but the security for them doesn’t. The governments – the elected government, non-elected government and the Centre – will have to work unitedly for the revival of tourism,” he said.
Asked about waiving off loans for the tourism players, he said there is an ongoing conversation with the Government of India (GoI) to see what can be done in the short term to assist the people having loans. “My concern extends to the whole tourism industry. The talks are already going on to find some ways to help the tourism players,” he said.
About the revival of the tourism sector, the CM said Jammu and Kashmir will be participating in the upcoming travel fairs and other events to boost and promote tourism.
Replying to a query about the losses incurred by the tourism players, Omar said the data is being collected, but the numbers continue to go up. “It is not the static number. We will not be able to compensate every single rupee of loss,” he said.
About the cabinet meeting in Pahalgam, the Chief Minister said it was the first time that a cabinet meeting was held away from Srinagar and Jammu. “We are not here to fulfil the government’s mission. We came here to give a message that violence and bloodshed cannot deter J&K’s agenda for peace and progress. Through this meeting, we salute the courage of the people across Kashmir, especially Pahalgam, for showing their resentment against the terrorist attack on April 22,” he said.
On the visit of tour operators from Maharashtra and Gujarat, he said, “They have all come here on their own. Around 60 tour operators have visited here. The numbers have risen from 20 to 60. I can’t claim that the J&K government brought them here. They have come here to boost the morale of the people of Kashmir and tell them that tourism should be revived here.”
Abdullah said the past five to six weeks were not favourable to the country, but J&K has borne the brunt. “We have come out of the difficult time. We will take steps to restore the things. I believe we will get assistance from the Centre in this regard,” he said.
On the reopening of 48 destinations, the CM said the decision should be reviewed and the places should be opened for the public gradually.
