Excelsior Correspondent
BHADERWAH, Oct 20: To express their resentment over the attitude and dictatorship of Administration, Bhadarwah Tours and Travel and Hoteliers and Guest House Associations alleged irregularities and haphazard in conducting the forthcoming Iconic Week Festival commencing from 23rd October in J&K UT under Azadi Ka Amrut Mohatsav.
Addressing a joint press conference, Manoj Kotwal Convenor, Tariq Choudhary President Tour and Travels Association, Ravi Zutshi President Hotel and Guest House Association, Mohammad Ayub Hotlier and Ravi Kumar Hotelier said that in connection to celebrate Azadi Ka Amrut Mohatsav, we have come to know that different events and festival are being carried out during Iconic Festival from 23rd to 29th October in UT J&K and there is an event scheduled for Bhaderwah on 29th October.
They alleged that neither jobless, local youths nor local tourism players including tour operators, hoteliers and guest house owners were informed regarding the mega event, which clearly shows the concern of administration about unemployed youths of the area.
“We are not against organizing the event but we demand transparency in the utilization of the funds as it smells fishy”, they added.
They said that their resentment is for not involving the local public and stakeholders particularly.
“We (local population) had opportunities to organize the festival. Every time we promoted the civilization, heritage, culture, local tribal languages, folks, pilgrimage, communal harmony and rich tourism potential but this time it is surprising that outsiders are showcasing the glimpses, which are still not known to the general public”, they added.
They said that until and unless, local youth, farmers, stakeholders and general public is not involved, how we expect that basic themes of tourism activities are being explored at proper level.
They appeal to the Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to personally intervene into the matter and direct the authorities to involve local participation to make it a successful event.
Feroz Khan Hotelier, Shabir Zarger Hotelier and others were also present during the press conference.
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