Srinagar, Feb 5 (KNS): Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday said he would raise the issue of reopening tourist destinations closed after the Pahalgam attack with Union Home Minister Amit Shah during his visit to the Union Territory.
Replying to a discussion in the Legislative Assembly, Abdullah said several tourist locations in the Kashmir Valley were shut following security concerns, but the situation now warranted a review.
“Some areas were closed, and the time has come to reopen them,” the chief minister said, adding that discussions with the Centre on the matter were ongoing.
He assured the House that the issue would be formally taken up with the home minister during his visit to Jammu and Kashmir.
“The rules and procedures governing registration have not been reviewed since 1978. We recognise the problem and are working on revising them,” he said.
Abdullah said linking registration of tourism units with the Public Services Guarantee Act, which mandates time-bound delivery of government services, had not helped in curbing corruption.
He said the government was considering simplifying the process, including options such as self-declaration or deemed approval, to ease compliance for tourism stakeholders.(KNS).