Bijay Charak
Early Times Report
Jammu, Dec 2: Contrary to the tall claims of state government to promote rural tourism across the state, 8 of the 12 projects for promotion of rural tourism sanctioned by Government of India (GOI) in 10th FYP are still incomplete inspite of lapse 11th Five Year Plan.
Documents in the possession of Early Times reveal that in 10th Five-year plan, Ministry of tourism, (GOI) had sanctioned six projects under scheme of Rural Tourism in the year 2005-2006 for product infrastructure development for destination and circuits, out of which four projects were incomplete.
"The total cost of six projects is Rs.941.13 Lakhs and the amount released Rs. 782.9 Lakhs. The projects, which are incomplete include Development of Integrated circuit Bhaderwah-Sinthan-Srinagar, their cost is Rs. 691.13 Lakhs and the amount released Rs. 552.9 Lakhs, another project Development of Jheri, with sanction cost of Rs. 50 Lakhs and same was released and the project status is going on", the documents read, adding that the project for Development of Gagangir, Sonamarg village their cost was Rs.50 Lakhs and Rs. 40 Lakhs has been released, another project for Development of Surinsar village of Rs.50 lakhs and Rs. 40 Lakhs for said project has also released, but the projects were still laying incomplete.
It further reads that in the year 2006-2007 another project was sanction under the product infrastructure development for destination and circuits, Development of Rural Tourism in village Vasaknag Kund valley was started with an estimated cost of Rs 48.53 Lakhs. "The amount was released on same year, but the status of the project is still incomplete", the documents read. Union Ministry of Tourism, in year 2006-07 approved a software work plan with an estimated cost of Rs. 52.26 Lakhs under the scheme of Capacity Building for Service Providers (CBSP), for the various villages include (Akingaam, Anantnag), Surinsar and Jhiri, out of which Rs 44.66 Lakhs was released but the status of work is still incomplete.
"The project cost of (Akingaam and Anantnag) software work plan was Rs. 14.26 Lakhs and same was released but the project still incomplete, similarly the other two projects software work plan for the site of village Jhiri and Surinsar were still incomplete", the data reveals. |
