Centre's nod to tourism packages for J&K

The Centre has approved two schemes for Jammu and Kashmir's tourism department which are aimed at creating employment, developing infrastructure and reviving tourism in the state, the state assembly was informed today.

The government has sanctioned the prime minister's package for creation of employment through revival of tourism in the state (September 2003) and the prime minister's reconstruction plan (November 2004), Deputy Chief Minister Muzaffar Hussain Baig said in a written reply.

A grant of Rs 9.25 crore has been disbursed to boat owners and horse breeders, while banks and financial institutions will disburse soft loans of Rs 40.44 crore at an interest of 4 per cent to hotels, guest houses and house boat owners for renovation and repairs of their units. An amount of Rs 4.88 crore has been paid to these banks and financial institutions as interest, he added.

The Centre will sanction Rs 31.50 crore under the prime minister's reconstruction plan for setting up 50 tourism villages across the state.

In addition, Rs 5.47 lakh will be utilised in training personnel for the tourism sector through the institute of hotel management in Srinagar.

The Centre has earmarked Rs 17 lakh for self employment by the state's youth in the industry, he added. Work on most of the schemes is in progress and being executed by the central public works department.Villages that had potential for tourism had been identified keeping in mind accessibility, natural beauty, proximity with the existing handicrafts and cultural activities.