Omar advises tourism industry against opportunistic practises

He asked them to ensure that the visitors to the Valley come back again.

"You should not try to indulge in profiteering and unreasonable practises while dealing with tourists who are our guests. They should return (from here) happy as it would encourage them to come again and again," Omar said at a public meeting at Tangmarg, 35 kms from here, on Srinagar-Gulmarg road.

Several complaints against hoteliers and transporters have been received from tourists. The tourism boom being witnessed in the state at present should not be utilised "wrongly" by adopting opportunist approach, he added.

Omar also underscored the need of peace in generation of economic activities and carrying forward development on fast tract.

He said peaceful and conducive atmosphere catapults development and enables each household to receive its share in the overall economic growth and employment creation.

The Chief Minister said the benefits of peaceful 2011 in the shape of faster development, good tourist season, successful panchayat elections, enactment of public empowerment legislations and anti-corruption measures are visible to everyone.

"My government has successfully conducted panchayat elections and powers from 14 departments to these grass root level institutions have already been transferred through speaking government orders," he said.

Omar said he was regularly monitoring the status of panchayat empowerment and in a high level meeting yesterday, he received complete details of the powers transferred to panchayats by these departments through government orders. MORE