Javaid Naikoo
SRINAGAR, Jan 7: Department of Tourism has concealed vital information sought under RTI Act with regards to visits of officers and the Ministers for their tourism promotion missions abroad.
In reply to a question asked by one Sheikh Ghulam Rasool, c/o Tanveer Hussian Khan of Raj Bagh Srinagar about visits of Ministers and officials undertaken to promote J&K as tourist destination at international level from 2008 till date and amount spend on such visits, no information has been given to the applicant and the details have been concealed. However, according to the information provided, Rs. 8,67,660 were spent on the foreign visits of then Director Tourism Jammu, Director Tourism Kashmir and Deputy Director Tourism Kashmir.
In 2008-09, the expenditure incurred on Berlin visit has been shown as Rs. 20,3,971 and 5,85,340 but names and designation of those who were part of the delegation have not been disclosed.
In 2009, Rs. 7,90,172 were spent on the London tour of Minister for Tourism, Secretary Tourism and Deputy Director Tourism Kashmir. Again in 2008-09, the expenditure shown on the visits of Director Tourism Kashmir, PA to Deputy Chief Minister, Director Tourism Jammu, has been shown as Rs. 23,16,225, Rs. 11,26,990 and 14,24,729 on their three visits.
In 2010, Rs. 8,98,845 were spent on Dubai visit of Minister and Director of Tourism Kashmir along with MD JKTDC to participate in Dubai global village festivals and other expenditures have been shown as Rs 10, 21,552 and 12,22,506. In the same year again the expenditure on their London visit has been shown as 22, 87,744.
In 2012 the expenditures shown on the visits of Minister Tourism, Directors of State Tourism, Manager JKTDC, ADT Gulmarg, ADT, Leh on two occasions has been shown as Rs 10,15,624, 9,81,466 and $7389 .
While Government was spending crores of rupees on promoting Kashmir as international tourist destination, there is not a single star category Hotel in the State and instead of star categorization Hotels are awarded the A, B and C category. |
