Majority of assets lying unattended for want of resources
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Apr 25: Contrary to the tall claims of the PDP-BJP Coalition Government about leaving no stone unturned to tap tourism potential, meager funds are being earmarked every year for tourism promotion in Kishtwar, which otherwise is blessed with huge natural beauty to attract large number of tourists. Moreover, no meeting of Governing Body of Kishtwar Development Authority has been convened during the past nearly two years despite the fact that major decisions about infrastructure creation are taken at this platform.
Official sources told EXCELSIOR that keeping in view the enchanting natural beauty of Kishtwar, the Government Vide Order No.209-TSM dated September 17, 2005 created Kishtwar Development Authority with the objective of creating and maintaining infrastructure for tourism promotion.
Earlier, the jurisdiction of Kishtwar Development Authority was confined to around 10 kilometers area but with the passage of time its jurisdiction was enhanced and major parts of the district were brought under its purview for tapping tourism potential in a big way.
No doubt following creation of Kishtwar Development Authority steps were initiated for tourism promotion and even infrastructure was created at certain places but constraints of funds always played spoilsport in giving necessary fillip to creation and maintenance of assets, sources said while disclosing that till last financial year the annual plan of the Kishtwar Development Authority was merely Rs 1.10 crore.
“Though during the current financial year the annual plan of the Kishtwar Development Authority has been increased to Rs 1.60 crore yet the same is still not sufficient even to maintain the existing assets what to talk of creation of new infrastructure for the tourists”, sources said while disclosing that majority of the assets of the Development Authority have been lying unattended for want of sufficient funds and manpower.
“What to talk of creation of infrastructure in far-off areas the Kishtwar Development Authority has even failed to properly maintain Tourist Reception Centre (TRC) in the heart of the town for comfortable stay of the tourists”, they further said, adding “majority of the viewpoints created by the Development Authority in different parts of the district are also crying for proper upkeep and maintenance”.
They further said, “pitiable condition of Chowgan ground, Kwar water sports facility and tourist rooms in Brindaban area are some of the testimonies of utter neglect on the part of Kishtwar Development Authority for want of sufficient funds”, adding “in several tourist places even drinking water is not available for tourists what to talk of other facilities”.
The most shocking aspect is that Governing Body meeting of the Kishtwar Development Authority has not been convened during the past nearly two years despite the fact that any major decision vis-à-vis creation of infrastructure is required to be taken at this platform, sources said, adding “the Governing Body is also required to approve the annual plan and earmark funds for different projects and maintenance works”.
As per the rules, the Governing Body is supposed to meet at least once in a year to chalk out strategies of the Development Authority but during the past nearly two years no roadmap has been prepared for the Authority.
“Those at the helm of affairs in the Kishtwar Development Authority as well as Minister Incharge Tourism, who heads the Governing Body, are equally responsible for inordinate delay in holding of meeting”, sources said while disclosing that during the past some months even full time Chief Executive Officer of the Kishtwar Development Authority has not been posted by the Government and charge of the post has been given to Additional District Development Commissioner.
When contacted, Kishori Lal, Additional District Development Commissioner, who is holding the additional charge of two posts—Additional Deputy Commissioner as well as Chief Executive Officer of Kishtwar Development Authority, confirmed that even after increase of Rs 50 lakh during the current financial year the annual plan of the Development Authority was not sufficient to maintain even the existing assets.
“The Development Authority is also facing shortage of funds to meet clear the land compensation cases”, he said in response to a question, adding “unless sufficient funds are kept at the disposal of the Development Authority objective behind its establishment cannot be achieved”.
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