Early Times Report
Jammu, June 25: Although J&K is under the direct control of the central government for the last three years, BJP on Friday alleged discrimination with Jammu region in the tourism sector. Without realizing that party has indirect control over the administration of J&K since June 19, 2019, party alleged that Jammu region has been ignored in all sectors including tourism.
BJP leadership appears to be having forgotten that since March 1, 2015, party has been direct or indirect control over the administration of J&K. After sharing power with PDP from March 1, 2015, to June 19, 2018, BJP has indirect control over administration through the central rule.
For the last, over six years BJP has domination in J&K administration even then the party is complaining about discrimination.
Jammu & Kashmir BJP Vice-President Varinderjeet Singh, while discussing the vast tourism potential of Jammu with his colleagues at party headquarters on Friday, said that like other sectors, the tourism sector of Jammu too remained unexplored by the successive Kashmir-centric governments.
Varinderjeet Singh said that almost every district of Jammu has a number of such spots which can attract a large number of tourists but unfortunately, Kashmir’s spots got attention of the governments and were developed and projected as tourist destinations.
The BJP leader said that after independence, it had been Congress, NC and PDP, which were in power on their own or in coalition with other political parties and each regime of those times had real love and concern for Kashmir and Jammu remained discriminated in all matters and at all levels.
“The only serious thought towards developing Jammu as a tourist destination was given by the BJP while in government for a short period as coalition partner”, Singh said and added that Jammu’s Gandola Project, Vaishno Devi Cable Car Project were approved with the efforts of BJP while in power in J&K and work for development of Mansar Lake and Devika River was initiated during BJP government at the Centre. These projects have vast potential of promoting adventure and religious tourism.
Varinderjeet Singh said that Doda, Bhaderwah, Kishtwar, Bani, Basohli, Billawar, Rajouri, Poonch have dozens of ancient religious places of different faiths, which are visited by thousands of pilgrims every year but lack proper air, road and rail connectivity, inadequate facilities of lodges, hotels, guest houses, communication, healthcare facilities. They need to be provided all the modern facilities. Advertisement through print and electronic media about the ancient religious places would obviously make more and more people know the facilities available en route the journey and at the spots.
Similarly, the beautiful, lush green lands, lakes, mountains, in Jammu province, should be properly developed with the provision of quality services of accommodation, good meals, regular supply of electricity, clean drinking water etc.
Varinderjeet Singh urged the LG administration to set up a ‘Special Cell’ in the Tourism Department to identify the unexplored tourist spots in Jammu province to develop them as attractive destinations. The flow of tourists will boost the economy at the local level and also generate employment for the local youth. |
