Official arrogance hits a new low, mars tourism prospects
Close on the heels of Bagh-e-Bahu Musical Fountain sans power backup embarrassment, it’s now a Junior Assistant’s alleged arrogance towards stakeholders that has brought humiliation to Directorate of Tourism, Jammu.
The Federation of Registered Travel Trade Associations of Jammu has lodged a complaint at the highest level against the alleged inefficient, irresponsible and uncivil behavior of the officials, including a Junior Assistant, of Tourism Department of Jammu, and requested necessary action.
“Abuse of power and arrogance has become part of the culture at DoTJ. Ironically, the tourism officials are expected to be one of the most warm and hospitable,” rues Raminder K Sanhotra, General Secretary, FRTTAJ.
The complaint reads that earlier this year, a two-day Lohri Festival was held at Raghunath Bazar on 12 th and 13 th January. It was organized by Saraswati Sangeet Kala Mandir and Raghunath Bazar Association in collaboration with Directorate of Tourism, Jammu and District Administration Jammu, as part of the efforts to revive tourism industry affected by COVID-19.
The cost for organizing the event proposed by the stakeholders and agreed upon by the officials was Rs 1.56 Lakhs. However, the work order when released undersigned by Naresh Kumar, Deputy Director Tourism (Publicity) Jammu, quoted the amount as Rs 1.40 Lakhs. And it was shared after the event via WhatsApp to a member artist.
Strange are the ways of DoTJ!
When approached for answers as to why such a work order has been released and that the grievance be genuinely redressed, the aforesaid DD Publicity asked the stakeholders to raise another bill of Rs 5000. Yet, by the end of financial year 2021-22, the complainant was reimbursed Rs 1.40 Lakh only.
The second bill of Rs 5000, as told to the complainant, was marked to Ajay Prasad, Junior Assistant, Estate Section at DoTJ for processing of the payment. He blamed Sheena Sahni, Assistant Director Jammu, for the lingering muddle at her end, and consequently, the delay in payment.
The other day, he dialed up the complainant to seek a copy of the bill as he had lost the original copy, which the latter had submitted in e-record office with ref no. 509511/24th Jan 2022.
Oddly enough, there is nothing new in misplacing or losing documents at DoTJ. Where the house is not in order, papers are just a casualty.
Upset with inordinate delays in payment and misplacement of documents, the complainant called upon Vivekanand Rai, IRS, Director Tourism Jammu, on 18th April, 2022. He swiftly summoned Prasad to his office who outrightly denied having received the bill, and impudently walked out on the Head of Department.
Things turned uglier when the complainant met Prasad on 22nd April, 2022 at DoTJ, to share a copy of the bill as desired by Director Tourism, Jammu.
“Filled with rage, because the bill issue was taken up with the HoD, Prasad lost all his civility. He hurled abuses at the stakeholders, slammed his desk and said ukhaad le jo mera ukhaadna hai. The witnesses to the unpleasant episode are Amar Jyoti Raina, Deputy Director Tourism, Jammu and other employees of the department,” tells Sanhotra, a seasoned travel stakeholder and has mentioned the same in his complaint.
He adds, “We have written to Sarmad Hafeez, Secretary Tourism, J&K, as well as Director Tourism, Jammu. Should they take disciplinary action on such officials and/or employees or foster the impression that they are beyond accountability, the onus lies on them.”
Tourism industry of Jammu region has a remarkably huge economic and social impact on the whole of J&K Union Territory, and it continues to expand to new markets, destinations and experiences. If such unacceptable behavior is meted out to stakeholders of long time, we should worry about our guests from other parts of the country and the world. No matter how naturally amazing our region is, the mis-functioning of Tourism Department will soon break the image the world has.
waliaharry 