By: Rehan Qayoom Mir
Srinagar, Jul 04: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday said Amarnath pilgrims should be allowed to step out of their buses and visit local markets so they can contribute to Kashmir’s economy during the annual pilgrimage.
Speaking to reporters in Srinagar, CM Omar said he hoped a large number of devotees would undertake the Amarnath Yatra, have a smooth darshan and return home safely.
He said the elected government has made all arrangements within its scope, while security, law and order and arrangements related to the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board were being handled by the concerned agencies.
The Chief Minister appealed to pilgrims to pray for lasting peace, communal harmony and prosperity in Jammu and Kashmir during their visit.
Referring to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s appeal urging pilgrims to spend 10 per cent of their travel budget in Kashmir, Omar termed the suggestion a welcome step for the local economy.
“It is a very good thing. If pilgrims spend 10 per cent of their budget here, it will benefit our people. But they must be allowed to get off their buses and visit markets and other places. Otherwise, how will they spend their money? They are being kept confined to their vehicles. Let them move around a little,” he said.
CM Omar further said the plan to suspend flight operations on Monday and Tuesday had been withdrawn for the time being after he took up the matter with the Centre.
“The proposed closure had badly affected tourism, with several groups cancelling their visits. I spoke to Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, Civil Aviation Minister K. Ram Mohan Naidu and also raised the issue with the Prime Minister. We have got relief for now,” he said.
He, also said the government would continue pursuing alternate flight arrangements, including operations from Awantipora, when Srinagar Airport undergoes scheduled closure in October.
Responding to questions on calls for dialogue with Pakistan, Omar said unnecessary controversy was being created whenever he or National Conference president Farooq Abdullah advocate engagement.
“When leaders of the RSS make similar statements, nobody highlights them. But when Farooq Sahib signs a memorandum or I speak about dialogue, it becomes a controversy,” he said.
Quoting former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Omar said neighbours cannot be changed and better relations with neighbouring countries should eventually be pursued.
On a reported controversy over a book, the Chief Minister said he had neither read nor heard about the publication and therefore could not comment.
Earlier, commenting on the resolution of the mandi tax issue, Omar said the levy on Jammu and Kashmir traders was unjust as the goods neither originated from nor were sold in Punjab.
“Our goods were coming from Rajasthan through Punjab. Imposing mandi tax on them was unfair. We consistently took up the matter with the Punjab government, and it is good that the issue has now been resolved,” he said. (KNO)
