Tassaduq says will take all steps soon
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Jan 16: All members of Opposition Congress today staged a walk-out in the Legislative Assembly in protest against what they called “unsatisfactory reply” of the Tourism Minister to a question of party MLA from Kargil Asgar Ali Karbalaie pertaining to promotion of tourism in Ladakh.
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As Minister of State for Tourism Priya Sethi started giving reply to the question of Karbalaie, the latter objected to it saying that Cabinet Minister of Tourism, Tassaduq Mufti should reply to the question as he was present in the Assembly. National Conference MLA Ali Mohammad Sagar also endorsed the view point of Karbalaie.
Reacting, Tassaduq Mufti, brother of Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti, said he has recently taken over as the Tourism Minister and he will take up all measures to promote tourism shortly. He said the Minister of State for Tourism (Priya Sethi) has experience of three years and was responding to the question well.
Karbalaie said there was nothing in the reply, which he described as “vague”.
“My question is very specific. Whether steps have been taken to promote adventure, eco tourism etc in Kargil and why tourism has been ignored in my district. The reply is not complete,” Karbalaie said.
Parliamentary Affairs and Revenue Minister Abdul Rehman Veeri, intervened, saying the MoS Tourism has categorically stated that a Consultant has been hired for development of tourism in Kargil.
“A team has been set up to explore more possibilities of all kind of tourism in Kargil, Give some time; we will take all steps to promote tourism. Listen to others too. Have some patience,” Veeri told agitated Karbalaie.
Karbalaie’s party colleague from Nobra, Deldan Namgayal asked the Minister to list specific works done by the Tourism Department in Ladakh as the region was facing discrimination despite world-known tourism destination.
On this, the Congress members got up from their seats to press for details about the projects done in Ladakh by the present Government. They cornered the Minister by asking several questions and details.
Priya Sethi stood up and tried to pacify the Opposition Congress members by replying to the supplementary questions but they were not satisfied and staged noisy walk-out from the Assembly. One of the Congress MLAs tore papers and flung them in the House before staging walk-out.
Later speaking to reporters outside the Assembly, Karbalaie said: “Kargil district has rich potential in tourism. It has pilgrimage tourism, Hindu tourism, Patriotic and Adventure tourism but the Government is not paying attention to it.”
“We asked whether any special package has been announced or any experts engaged for the region but there was no satisfactory reply. Instead, the Minister said that he is new into it,” he added.
“The Government was formed three years ago. Hadn’t they got time to take care of tourism in Kargil,” the Congress MLA said adding, “MoS Tourism Priya Sethi replied that DPR is being prepared for Kargil. How unfortunate it is?”
“I was not satisfied with the reply, so I staged walkout,” said the MLA.
In the written reply to Karbalaie’s question, Priya Sethi said the Government has set up a Tourism Development Authority for Kargil, which is looking after all the development activities in Kargil region. Regarding making of short film, he said, the Department has produced a short promotional film on autumn season in which Kargil has been depicted.
“Kargil is already on tourism map of the State. Sustained efforts are made to promote Kargil as an “ace tourist destination”. Kargil prominently figures in the promotional campaigns,” she said.
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