Framing of policy to resolve issues in Gulmarg
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Nov 18: A Division Bench of High Court comprising Chief Justice Ali Mohammad Magrey and Justice Vinod Chatterji Koul has directed Commissioner/Secretary to Government Tourism Department to file affidavit indicating steps taken for ensuring compliance of order passed on 22.07.2022 whereby direction was issued for framing of policy in order to address and resolve the slew of issues of the famous tourist resort Gulmarg.
When the PIL Came-up for hearing, DB observed, “in terms of order passed on 22.07.2022, this court on detailed consideration of the matter based on the material available, identified vital and important issues/matters which required attention/decision on priority”, adding “we have noticed from the record of the proceedings that notwithstanding the Master Plan in place for Gulmarg, the vital and important issues/matters are required to be addressed to at priority”.
These issues are formulation of a vision document based on the considerations like environment, forest lands, average number of tourists visiting Gulmarg, existing hotels with bed capacities, sanitation, installation of bio digesters etc; framing of policy in respect of hotels/hutments and other structures existing in and around Gulmarg Bowl having come up either with or without permission of the authorities and requiring repairs and maintenance on account of harsh weather conditions during winter; cases where lease has expired and hotels/hutments and other structures are existing thereupon and as to whether Government proposes to extend lease in such cases and if so on what terms and conditions.
“Illyas Nazir Laway, Government Advocate has drawn our attention towards the compliance filed by the Chief Executive Officer, Gulmarg Development Authority, which having reference to the endeavour of seeking inputs from various authorities, seeks extension of time for framing of the vision documents, as also response to the points”, the DB said.
“To ensure response to the points detailed in order dated 22.07.2022, it has become necessary to ask the Commissioner/ Secretary to Government Tourism Department to file affidavit, indicating steps taken for ensuring compliance of order passed on 22.07.2022”, the DB and directed that Commissioner/ Secretary shall call all the departmental heads for furnishing the required material for taking decision and seek appropriate approvals on the decision required by the competent authority.
DB further directed all the authorities who are required to be associated for ensuring compliance of order passed on 22.07.2022, shall make available their cooperation and the material before the Commissioner/ Secretary Tourism. “We also expect that Advocate General will convene a meeting of all the concerned officers to ensure that a consolidated response is prepared and filed before this court by the Commissioner/Secretary Tourism Department. The needful shall be done by or before next date of hearing”, the DB added.
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