While speaking in a programme organised by Hotel & Restaurant Association, Katra (HRAK), Baseer Ahmed Khan, Advisor to Lt Governor said that the Government is preparing SOPs and guidelines for revival of tourism in J&K by taking proper inputs from different quarters. “In view of importance of Katra Vaishnodevi ji, the concrete plan for channelizing ten million pilgrims and increasing their stay will be made and much emphasis on Katra is being made,” he said. CEO SMVD Shrine Board, Ramesh Kumar; Director Tourism, Raj Kumar Katoch; Addl Deputy Commissioner Reasi, Rajinder Sharma; Joint Director Tourism, Neelam Khajuria; Superintending Engineer Power, Asstt Director Tourism Ambika Bali, Cluster Head J&K Bank Rajesh Dubey besides representatives from Hotel Association including its President Rakesh Wazir, Chairman Sham Lal Kesar, Sr Vice President Virender, General Secretary Kuldeep Dubey, former President Shiv Kumar Sharma, Sardari Lal Dubey, Karan Wazir, Nishant Sharma, Vikram Slathia, Sanjeev Sharma, Koushal Kumar,Rajan Sharma, Mona Kotwal, Sahil Heera, Ankush Gupta and others were prominently present on the occasion. Earlier, Rakesh Wazir elaborated the points for revival, survival and sustenance of Tourism in the Union Territory. He suggested preference to investments which may add on to the Tourism potential of the UT. Citing the example of Gulmarg and Patnitop Ropeways, he suggested similar Ropeways at other areas like Shiv Khori, Sanasar, Katra to ShankerAcharya etc. Seeking waiver of fixed electricity charges from business establishments which remain closed during the lockdown period, Wazir also asked for total modernization of Katra electricity set up on the pattern of Chandigarh with underground wiring. Sham Lal Kesar sought special package to hoteliers, including payment of salaries by the Government to the hotel employees. He rued that the hoteliers were still awaiting refund of GST to hotel sector on the pattern of manufacturing Industry. Shiv Kumar Sharma, Virender Kesar, Kuldeep Dubey said that 10 crore separate water supply scheme for hotels at Katra which is already sanctioned, be started at the earliest and likewise 4G should be restored. Khan listened to the Association members patiently and gave on spot instructions for modernization of whole Katra electric setup, simplification of Tourism registration process, exploring the feasibility of light and sound and ropeways at Katra and Shiv Khori. He also assured that sympathetic consideration would be given to rest of the points.
