CII Delegation calls on Minister for Tourism and Culture
‘International Standard Tourism Infrastructure
under joint venture on anvil’

Srinagar, September 05 - Minister for Tourism and Culture, Mr. Nawang Regzin Jora has said that government has identified new tourism destinations for developing them so that the tourists could not confine only to known tourist destinations but enjoy the scenic beauty of other tourism spots of the State and extend their holidays.

This was stated by the Minister during his meeting with the representatives of Confederation of Indian Industry, Northern Region (CII), convened to sort out the issues for setting up tourism infrastructure of International standard through joint venture in the State.

Minister of State for Tourism Mr. Nasir Aslam Wani, Director Tourism Kashmir Mr. Farooq Ahmed Shah and Additional Secretary Tourism Mr. Altaf Hussain attended the meeting from State side, while as Chairman, CII northern region, Mr. Harpal Singh, Dy. Chairman, CII, NR Mr. Deepak Puri and Chairman, CII J&K Mr. Sanjay Puri representatives the Confederation.

The meeting discussed various issues regarding setting up of mini and micro tourism units through public private partnership for development of tourism infrastructure in the State.

The Chairman CII apprised the Minister that Confederation is organizing its two day regional conference from tomorrow at Srinagar, in which 35 industrialists of 9 States are participating. He said during the conference the participants would discuss the modalities for setting up of industrial units under various sectors in J&K.

It is pertinent that State government has constituted a task force for creation of more employment avenue in the State by setting up of small and mega industrial projects in the State and in this regard the State government has held two meetings in State as well as in New Delhi to sort out the issues for early establishment of these units in the State besides providing training in various professions to the youth to increase their employability.

The Minister said that State would encouraged private investors for establishment of units in the State. He said government intends that private stake holders would come forward and partner with State government through joint venture in developing and upgrading tourism infrastructure facilities at unique tourist destinations of the State.

Mr. Jora said all the three regions Kashmir, Ladakh and Jammu have distinct tourism potential which are being fully tapped for socio- economic development of the people. He said in this direction PPP is being encouraged in the State and government would provide all logical and financial support to the industrialists for the purpose.

The Minister said a series of tourism corridors are in pipeline in the State under which a tourist can enjoy varied natural beauty by extending their holidays and added that in this connection 22 tourism development authorities have been created to up grade the infrastructure facilities at new tourist destinations. He said focused attention is being also given towards maintaining of environment of the destinations.

Mr. Jora said that various tourist destination like Gulmarg, Sonamarg, Phalgam, Bhaderwah, Patnitop, Leh,Drass and Zanskar are being made year round tourist attracted destination by exploring Skiing, river rafting, paragliding, mountaineering, cable car rides, car and cycle races. He said in this connection a massive infrastructure programme is also apace on war footing basis to facilitate visiting tourist.

The Minister assured the Confederation that government would take all steps to promote the tourism under private sector and would provide all logical and financial support to the out state investors for sitting up of their units in the State. He said this steps is imperative to coop with the unemployment problems in the State.

Mr. Nasir Aslam Wani said that government has evolved comprehensive policy of employment generation with focus on training State’s youth along side preparing enabling environment for industrialists to invest in the State. He said with the noticeable improvement in the security scenario, J&K is said to witness turn around in socio-economic sectors in the years ahead.