To take first-hand appraisal of the issues faced by hoteliers and industrialists of Patnitop, Ranjan Prakash Thakur, Principal Secretary, Industries and Commerce J&K, conducted a day-long whirlwind tour of the famous tourist destination.
Principal Secretary was accompanied by Alok Kumar, Principal Secretary Youth Services & Sports and Science & Technology, Rahul Priyadarshi, General Manager SIDBI Chandigarh.
The programme was organised by Hotel & Restaurant Association, Katra (HRAK) and Federation of Hotels, Restaurants, Industry & Commerce of Jammu Region (FHRICJR). It included a meeting with stakeholders at Patnitop, a visit to Skyview by Empyrean Ropeway, local hotels and Udhampur Sports Stadium.
While interacting with the stakeholders, Principal Secretary said that the New Central Sector Scheme for Industrial Development of Jammu & Kashmir with a total outlay of Rs. 28,400 Crores upto the year 2037 will open gates for multifarious business activities in the UT.
“New Central Sector Scheme for Industrial Development of J&K has been declared effective from April 1, 2021. Such a scheme is first for J&K, considering the plethora of incentives and key features. For instance, the scheme aims to take industrial development to the block level in UT of J&K, which is the first time in any Industrial Incentive Scheme of the Government of India. The objective is simple, to bring about radical transformation in the existing industrial ecosystem of this region,” Thakur said.
He urged the stakeholders to come forward and avail the benefits of the scheme, while assuring all possible support and assistance from the government.
Further, he said, “No business and industry can flourish unless ease of doing business is ensured. We have initiated the process registration of industries through Udyam Portal. More positive developments will be visible, not in months, but coming days.”
He had a clear message to give that, inordinate and intentional delays and roadblocks on the part of any officer won’t be tolerated.
Rakesh Wazir, President HRAK & FHRICJR, while speaking on the occasion, said, “Hotels, Resorts have been recently brought under the domain of Industries & Commerce Department, in addition to the Tourism Department. As such, the government should now consider aborting dual registration process, and let them be required to get registered only with I&C Department for availing incentives under various Central and UT schemes.”
He further said that holy town of Katra and nearby places in Jammu Division have huge potential to attract viable private investments in tourism sector, but the need of the hour is to come up with worthy ideas and projects.
“This will add on to the Tourism potential of our Union Territory, generate employment for the local people, lead to an increase in the stay of the Yatris and help make Katra and around as hub of tourism and business,” he remarked.
He added, “Investors are willing to make investments in viable projects like Shiv Khori rope way, Waterpark at Jhajjar Kotli, Light & Sound Show on the history of Maa Vaishnodevi ji, and so on, through Public-Private Partnership. If the things are expedited, we can see results within months.”
Ranjan Prakash Thakur noted that the issue of short stays of yatris in Katra in particular, and suggested a full fledged amusement park to let the yatris indulge in delightful experience.
Koushal Magotra, President Patnitop area of FHRICJR, raised the issue of worse condition of roads leading to Patnitop, especially the under construction portion of highway and the alternate road from Laddan Kotli Power Station, Udhampur.
Moreover, he said, “The government should direct thousands of oil tankers enroute Kashmir to stop few kilometers after Patnitop, as such, preventing the road blockage. The roads leading to Sudh Mahadev, Mantalai should be developed at the earliest, so that the tourists have more destinations to visit. They should not be harassed anywhere, or forced to take longer and arduous routes which dampen their spirits or thwart their prospective Jammu plans.”
With first-hand experience of battered and blocked roads on his way to Patnitop, Thakur agreed with the stakeholders that it affects tourism and related economy of any place. He assured taking it up with LG Administration.
Virender Kesar, Sr. Vice President HRAK, Convener PHDCCI Reasi District, Ajay Kotwal, Vice President HRAK & General Secretary FHRICJR Bhaderwah, demanded an increase in the moratorium period of hotels in addition to few incentives for existing hotels including re-imbursement of GST.
Vikram Singh Salathia, President Hotel & Restaurant Association, Udhampur, President FHRICJR Udhampur, raised the issue of sluggish pace of Devika Project. He also requested for developing Udhampur Stadium on world-class standards.
Later in the day, Syed Ali Jafferi of Skyview Ropeway gave a presentation about the ropeway project that has been attracting tourists in huge numbers since its inception. He also shared his concerns, majorly road condition, tourist facilities and others.
Also: Read my article at The News Now
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