Saahil Suhail
Early Times Report
Srinagar, Nov 1: The Governor's administration on Thursday removed Director Tourism Kashmir, Tasaduq Jeelani, after he gave a creepy speech at an important event in Gulmarg last week.
A video had gone viral showing Jeelani addressing delegates, apparently in a drunken condition, during the Familiarisation (FAM) Tour at the popular tourist resort on Saturday last. "In the interest of administration, Mr Tasaduq Jeelani, KAS shall, with immediate effect, cease to discharge the duties and functions of attached to the post of Director Tourism, Kashmir which shall henceforth and until further orders, discharged by Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir in addition to his own duties," reads an official order.
Early Times was first newspaper in Jammu and Kashmir to report the Gulmarg incident. In the FAM tour, Tourism department had floated all the norms and the money spent on FAM tour was supposed to be utilized for sponsoring a Discovery Channel film.
The video of the Director's speech had initially appeared on social media sites. In the video, Jeelani can be heard making rough remarks about Kashmir, the Tourism department, the tourism stake-holders, etc. He proudly called a hotelier his bosom friend and expressed disappointment over the guests from all over the country rejecting his invitation and asserting that he is not afraid of anybody.
Once Deputy Director Massarat Hashim tries to stop him from addressing the gathering but the Director is seen asking him not to stop him. Officers finally snapped the power supply to apply their brakes on their no-holds-barred chief.
Director Tourism Kashmir had extended invitation to almost 150 guests which include guests from Doordarshan, Radio, Director Information and PR of different states, National Tour operators, Media Fraternity (Print and Electronic Media), Travel bloggers and writers across the nation. Tourism department arranged to and fro air tickets, boarding, lodging and local transportation for visiting guests. Jammu and Kashmir Tourism Development Corporation (JKTDC), Sher-e-Kashmir International Convocation Center (SKICC) and private hoteliers were roped in and asked to facilitate the visiting guests at Pahalgam, Gulmarg and Srinagar.
As reported earlier, Rs 2 crore spent on FAM tour was supposed to be utilized for sponsoring a Discovery Channel film.
Jeelani told Early Times that it was his responsibility to appreciate the efforts of his colleagues who did their best to make the FAM tour successful. Asked about the video that has gone viral on social media sites, he said that he was only 'entertaining' his staff members. "Delegates who were part of FAM tour had already proceeded for dinner. I was only addressing my staff and tried to entertain them," he said, adding someone recorded the same and circulated with social media users.
He said that he hadn't consumed anything and that he always talks in the same tone. |
