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| Tourism Department's 56 assets non-functional | | Infrastructure worth Rs 64 Cr turns show piece | | Arun Singh
Jammu, Mar 10: At least 56 assets of Tourism Department constructed at a cost of Rs 64 crore at five places across the state have been lying unutilized thereby depriving the Department of revenue from the assets.
Moreover, the assets created at 12 different tourist locations by incurring an expenditure of Rs 15.55 crore were not in operation due to shortage of skilled manpower.
The Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) of India in report for the years ending Mar 2013 during its audit scrutiny found that 56 assets of Tourism Department like TRCs, parking lots, public conveyances etc, at Pahalgam, Kokernag, Manasbal, Kargil and Leh constructed under State Plan Funds are not operational and no action was taken to utilize these assets.
Besides, CAG revealed that the tourist complexes created at 12 different tourist locations in the state at an expenditure of Rs 15.55 crore (Centrally Sponsored Scheme Funds) during the period 2007-13 could not be operated and managed due to shortage of skilled manpower and allied resources and were lying idle for the period ranging from 14 months to 53 months.
It further said that 3 assets including Tourist Complex, Sarthal (Kathua), Way side amenities Bhoond (Kathua) and Bhambla (Reasi) constructed at a cost of Rs 2.36 crore (State Plan Funds) had not been taken over by the Department from the executing agency despite lapse of 27 months to 39 months from the dates of their completion. The non-engagement of manpower and consequent idling of the complexes had deprived the local people of employment opportunities thereby defeating the very purpose of providing financial assistance by GoI.
Pertinently projects for the construction of tourist infrastructure at new tourist destinations were submitted to the GoI for sanction with an undertaking that the responsibility for operation/ management and maintenance of assets would lie with the State Government without ensuring proper resources/ manpower and proper plans for management and operation of the assets after their construction.
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