Excelsior Correspondent
Jammu, Dec 17: Harshdev Singh NPP MLA, today clashed with the Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah over the issue of neglect and deprivation of tourism destinations of Jammu region particularly Mansar and Surinsar laked.
Accusing the Chief Minister of bias and discrimination during the course of meeting of Surinsar Mansar Development Authority (SMDA). Mr Singh said that whereas the Govt had announced a package of Rs. 1100 crore for Dal Lake and Rs. 386 crore for Wullar lake, the lakes of Mansar and Surinsar were subjected to most hostile treatment and given only peanuts for their development.
“You are the Chief Minister for entire State and not only for one region. You can’t deprive the tourism sports and lakes of Jammu region including Mansar, Surinsar, Purmandal and Utterbehni which are prime tourism destination of Jammu region.”
Mr Omar countered Mr Singh by saying that he was trying to create regional divide by creating the issue of Jammu versus Kashmir. He said that Kashmir lakes including Dal and Wullar have been allotted funds on need basis. What is the necessity of funding Mansar, Surinsar lakes? Asked Omar.
“Perhaps you are not aware of the fact that more than one crore pilgrim tourists visit Jammu every year. And the said tourists don’t like to stay back because of inadequate facilities and tourism related infrastructure in Jammu and its vicinity. The development of said lakes besides the tourism spots could give a fillip to the economy and generate employment in the region”, Singh said.
Mr. Singh further said that such meetings are being convened only to fulfill the conventional and routine formalities. He said that he would strongly protest the policy of bias and prejudice being consistently and persistently followed by present Govt against Jammu region and would stage a walk out from the SMDA meeting being chaired by the Chief Minister.
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