J&K announces ₹2.94-cr relief package for tourism sector
SRINAGAR: As Kashmir’s tourism sector is experiencing losses due to the second wave of Covid-19, the J&K government has announced a relief package of Rs 2.94 crore for people associated with trade, especially shikarawalas and tourism guides.
On Friday, J&K’s Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha had approved the package, the money for which will be deduced from J&K Relief Fund.
For the past several months, people associated with the tourism sector, which is one of the biggest trades in Kashmir, have been demanding a relief package, especially for those who make meagre earnings. Even big hoteliers and trade and travel agents have suffered heavy losses.
As per the government notification, issued by deputy director, budget finance, the relief of Rs 2,000 will be transferred to 4,444 shikarawalas, 1,370 tourist guides, 6,663 ponywalas, 2,150 dandiwalas/sledgewalas/palkiwalas for two months.
“The relief will be transferred to only who are registered with the tourism department,” said an official. “The package doesn’t have anything for travel agents, house boats adventure sports operators, tourist transport operators and hotels as well. This package should have an amnesty for power and water bill related to tourism infrastructure,” said Dr Umar Nazir Tibet Baqal, member, TAAK travel agents association of Kashmir, and coordinator, IATA forum, Kashmir International Air Traffic Association.
President KCCI, Shiekh Ashiq said that announcement of relief package is welcome but all the people who are daily earners in all sectors should be part of this package be it transport, vendors, small time shopkeepers, artisans and weavers registered with handicrafts department. “We hope the Lt Governor will increase the amount of financial assistance and free ration to all people who are below poverty line also,” he said. Tourism in Kashmir had a good beginning with the start of New Year but as the second wave of Covid-19 wracked havoc across the country, the tourist inflow suddenly started to dry up and most of the advance bookings got cancelled.