Bijay Charak
Jammu, Nov 17: Notwithstanding the claims of state government of vast opportunities in Tourism Management and Hospitality sector in the state, the interest of youth towards course of Hospitality and Tourism Management (H&TM) is fast dwindling as only 14 candidates have enrolled across state in various polytechnic colleges, this year.
Sources informed Early Times that 13 polytechnics are presently functioning across state out of which four are offering the course of Hospitality and Tourism Management (H&TM), including Bikram Chowk Jammu, NITS Polytechnic, Government Polytechnic Bandipora and Government Polytehnic Leh.
"The course was started on July 21, 2004 and it was called as Diploma in Travel and Tourism. Initially a large number of youth opted for the course but after getting the diploma in their hands, not a single youth has absorbed in government sector so far", sources said. They further added that the interest of youth towards the course was sharp dwindling and presently only 14 students have enrolled in the course across state. "14 candidates who have enrolled in first semester of H&TM including 4 at Government Polytechnic Bikram Chowk, 5 at NITS polytechnic, 2 candidates in Government polytechnic Bandipora and 3 candidate in Government polytechnic in Leh", sources said.
Sources further disclosed that All India Council for Technical Education (AICTE) has approved the sanctioned intake strength at Bikram Chowk as 45 students and later the course was started in other three colleges.
Castigating the government policy, a diploma holder Rakesh Singh said that when the course was started the state government had made tall claims that state has lot of tourism potential and to provide better hospitality services, there was need of trained staff. "Hundreds of youth opted for course but the number of tourists increased but not a single youth has got any government job", he said.
Fayaz Ahmed, a student of H&TM 5th semester said that the reason of declining in enrollment was that thousands of students have so far completed their diploma course in H&TM in the last nine years, but not a single diploma holder has been absorbed in Tourism department.
He further said that despite the fact that the Tourism department has so far opened 20 Tourism Development Authorities including Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Kokernag, Patnitop, Verinag, Aharbal, Wullar- Manasbal, Yousmarg, Doodapathri, Leh, Kargil, Zanskar, Bhaderwah, Kishtwar, Rajouri, Poonch, Surinsar- Mansar, Lakhanpur- Sarthal and Drungyari Development Authority but not a single post has been advertised for trained youth.
Geeta Manhas, a student of 3rd semester said that JKTDC, SKICC, J&KCCC and JIMWS were also under Tourism department but astoundingly not a single professional staff has been recruited in these corporations.
"If the government has no plan for absorption of trained youth, then why the government has been wasting money on such courses and spoiling the future of students", she rued. |
