‘Locals ignored during recent event’
Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, Nov 28: The residents of Basholi and its adjoining areas have shown serious concern over the foul play played by Department of Tourism on the name of promotion of Tourism in Basholi by spending thousands of rupees on it who alleged that local population is totally ignored.
The people alleged that the authorities have given much hype to the promotion of Tourism in the area but on the ground its benefits have not reached to the locals who were altogether ignored. “What is the fun of such claims when the local people don’t get any benefit and their fate does not change”, they asked while terming all claims made by the administration totally hollow on the name of tourism promotion in Basholi.
As per locals an event of tourism promotion was organized at Purthu in Basholi just two days earlier and it was limited to a selected audience by Tourism Department. The local population was not given any invitation or information except the chief guest of programme DDC chairman, Col Mahan Singh.
The Ex Minister and BJP leader, Prem Sagar Aziz of Basholi said that it is matter of serious concern as the local population is being totally ignored. Even he was also not aware of any event of Tourism promotion in Basholi not even the local administration was taken into confidence before arranging the event.
He said that when there is no participation of local people then there is no fun to spend huge amount which is merely a wastage. He added that two events were arranged by Tourism Department were fixed within the department and local population was totally ignored. Even the local artist in Pashmina shawl and Basholi painting were not given due regard.
The Municipal Committees, Chairman Sumesh Spolia said that the event was a flop show due to poor publicity. The Vice Chairman of Municipal Committee, Avinash Razdan also declared the event as wastage of money without wide publicity and in absence of local population. He said the money spend on flop show could be spent on promotion of local poor artisan involved in painting and Pashmina shawl. The prominent people of Basholi demanded an enquiry into the matter and how much money spent on these events should be displayed on paper for transparency and accountability of UT Government.
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