| State sheds tears of bankruptcy; Tourism Minister off to France, Italy, Switzerland | | 3 member delegation to participate in European Ultramarathon | | Akshay Azad
JAMMU, Aug 30: At a time when state is fraught with serious resource crunch, the Tourism Minister of cash starved Jammu and Kashmir is presently on an official visit to France, Switzerland and Italy to participate in 166 kilometers European ultra marathon. Moreover the entire expenditure on the visit is being borne by State Government, which is always crying hoarse on every demand of common people for basic amenities.
Sources informed Early Times that on August 23, 2013, State Government had accorded sanction to deputation of three persons including Tourism Minister Gulam Hassan Mir, Officer on special duty to Minister Tej Krishan Bhat and Managing Director of J&K Cable Car Corporation Tufail Matoo, to participate in an ultra marathon. As per Government order, the delegation of three members is on the official visit to France, Italy and Switzerland for participation in Ultra-Trail MB (La Pettite Trottee A Leon) being held at Chamonix Mont Blanc (France) with effect from August 26 to September 1, 2013.
In the official order the State Government clearly maintained that the entire expenditure on the visit of delegation would be borne by State Government. While criticizing the visit of delegation, an official of Tourism department seeking anonymity said that at a time when State Government has been crying over curtailment in annual plan but on the other Cabinet Ministers have been enjoying foreign trips. "The cost of an air ticket from Delhi to France was minimum of Rs. 1 Lakh. The total cost of only air tickets will be minimum of Rs. 6 Lakhs and if other expenditures will be included, the total expenditure will easily cross the figure of Rs. 25 Lakhs", he said, adding that even the event in which the delegation has gone to participate was a marathon of around 166 kilometers, and none of the delegation member was in a condition to run.
Pertinently, the Ultra-Trail du Mont-Blanc (also referred to as UTMB) is a single stage mountain ultra-marathon. It takes place once a year in the Alps, across France, Italy and Switzerland. The distance is approximately 166 km, with a total elevation gain of around 9,400 meters. It is widely regarded as the most difficult foot race in Europe.
While the best runners complete the loop in slightly more than 20 hours, most runners take 30 to 45 hours to reach the finish line. There is no prize money awarded. The race is organised by an association called Les Trailers du Mont-Blanc. 1700 volunteers were involved in 2010. The runners are supposed to carry a minimum of equipment for safety reasons. This includes a waterproof jacket, warm clothes, food and water, whistle, survival blanket and head lamp. |
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