DRSC for augmenting tourist infra to enhance footfall of tourists

Directs for early filling up of MD JKTDC post

SRINAGAR, MAY 23: The Departmental Related Standing Committee (DRSC) of Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Council today directed the Secretary Tourism Department to fill up the vacant post of Managing Director, JKTDC immediately to ensure that the working of this important organization does not suffer.

The DRSC which met here today under the Chairman of, Naresh Kumar Gupta also reviewed the overall functioning of the Tourism Department and called for taking appropriate steps to further improve its functioning strengthening the existing tourist infrastructure in all important destinations to increase the flow of tourists in the State. The Committee laid stress on strengthening all Tourism Development Authorities to speed fast-track development of tourist destinations.

Legislators, Sajjad Ahmad Kichloo, Mohammad Muzaffar Parray, Ghulam Nabi Monga, Firdous Ahmad Tak, Showkat Hussain Ganai and Sham Lal Bhagat attended the meeting.

 While deliberating on varied issues concerning the department, the Committee laid stress on identifying new tourist destinations to enhance the footfall of tourists to these resorts. The Committee opined that still there are many areas which need to be developed as tourist destination and the department should carry out a survey in this regard and formulate a comprehensive plan to develop these gradually to give impetus to the economic activities in the State. The Chairman maintained that tourism is the mainstay of State’s economy and every effort must be made to strengthen its infrastructure to attract more tourists.

The meeting also reviewed the status of various cable car projects, steps being taken to promote tourism along the historic places, besides promoting eco-tourism and adventure tourism activities in the state.

Secretary Tourism, Rigzin Samphal, Vice Chairman, LAWDA, Dr. A H Shah, Director Tourism, Jammu, Smita Sethi and MD, JKSCCL, Shamim Ahmed Wani briefed the Committee about the Budget allotment status of Tourist Destinations, Development Schemes sanctioned by the State and Centre under various flagship programmes.

Secretary Legislative Council, Abdul Majid Bhat, Special Secretary, Legislative Council, Mohammad Ashraf Wani and others senior officers of Council Secretariat were also present in the meeting.