Will take up issue of closure of tourist places with Union Home Minister: CM

Srinagar, Feb 05: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said that he will take up the issue of re-opening tourist places, which were closed after the Pahalgam attack, with Union Minister Amit Shah during his visit to Jammu and Kashmir.

Speaking in the Legislative Assembly, the CM said the time has come to open tourist places that were closed in the Kashmir Valley.

“It is a fact that some areas were closed. The time has come to open them,” the CM said.

The CM added that talks are continuing with the Government of India over the issue.

“I assure the House that the closure of tourist spaces will be taken up with the Home Minister, who is visiting Jammu and Kashmir,” he said.

He further said that the registration process in the tourism sector is cumbersome and needs to be revised.

“We agree that the registration process is cumbersome. We have not reviewed the rules and procedures since 1978. We are working on it,” he said.

The CM explained that linking the registration of tourism units with the Public Service Guarantee Act-a law that ensures the delivery of government services in a time-bound manner-does not prevent corruption.

He added that the Government is contemplating simplifying the registration process either through self-declaration or deemed approval. —(KNO)