SRINAGAR, June 24:Minister for Education, Mr Naeem Akhtar said that revitalization of Shehr-i-Khaas is the main focus of Government, adding that in this regard several steps have been initiated by the Government to accelerate tourism activities in Downtown areas of Srinagar.
Responding to the supplementaries raised by some members, the Minister said that Government is planning to start cruise service in Jhelum from Pampore to Chattabal Weir. He said that in this regard to promote water tourism the order for procurement of cruise has been already placed and the service will be started within one month.
The Minister said that local MLAs are the part of Tourism Development Authorities and are being consulted while formulating the development project reports of the tourism spots in their areas. As well as tourist destinations in different areas under PM special package.
Meanwhile Minster of State for Tourism, Ms Priya Sethi while replaying to the main question by Mr Ali Mohammad Sagar, informed the House that Government has accorded sanction for implementation of projects in Public-Private-Partnership (PPP) mode under the tourism sector.
The Minister said the projects as and when received by Tourism Department are accordingly being submitted to the PPP cell created in the Finance Department for examination and consultation.
The Minister said that during current year, the Government has vacated 44 huts which are available for booking now.
The Minister said on an average, the plan CAPEX of Tourism Department is around Rs 80 crore to Rs 90 crore annually. She further added that out of the total plan budget of the Department for the last fiscal, 33 per cent of the allocation was exclusively released for the execution of the new works of department.
Mr Nawang Rigzin Jora and Mr Mubarak Gul raised the supplementaries to the main question.
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