Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah has directed the Tourism Department to formulate a comprehensive proposal for the regularization of adhoc employees working in various Tourism Development Authorities (TDAs) completing more than seven years of service so that a decision in consonance with Planning and Finance Departments is taken in this regard early.Chairing the 17th meeting of Patnitop Development Authority (PDA), the Chief Minister who is also Chairman of PDA also asked the Forest and Environment Department to be in close association with Tourism Development Authorities in ensuring maintenance of natural serenity of health resorts and conservation and preservation of water bodies and forest wealth.The Chief Minister while receiving brief on various schemes under execution in the jurisdiction of PDA approved re-alignment of Mall Road Kud to avoid the shifting of 132/11 KV Transmission Line. He also approved Rs. One crore for installation of 3.16 MVA Power Station at Kud besides Rs. 20 lakhs for development of picnic spot and Rs. 10 crores for sky-lift vehicle for the maintenance of Hi-mast street lights. He also gave nod for Rs. 20 lakh for replacement of Sodium Vapor street lights with LED lights to save power consumption.
The Chief Minister directed for utilizing CAMPA scheme for afforestation purpose in the areas coming under the jurisdiction of PDA. He said the funds available under CAMPA should be utilized to raise plantation in the denudated and parched forest areas.The meeting was informed that the proposed ropeway from Kud to Patnitop is under process and its clearance from the Supreme Court is likely to be given soon. It was also given out that preparation of Master Plan and Zonal Plan is expected within next four months.The meeting was attended by Minister for Tourism, Ghulam Ahmad Mir, Legislators, Krishan Chander and Ashok Kumar, Principal Secretary Planning and Development, B. R. Sharma, Principal Secretary Tourism Atal Duloo, various Administrative Secretaries and senior officers.In a PowerPoint presentation the CEO, PDA, Raman Kumar Kaiser presented brief about the achievements registered by the PDA on various development schemes. He said that Tourist Information Centre at Patnitop has been made operational at a cost of Rs. 25 lakhs while drinking water points have been set up at various places involving Rs. 3.50 lakhs besides sanitation facilities at a cost of Rs. 5.50 lakhs. He said parking places on circular roads have been constructed at a cost of Rs. 45 lakhs while Rs. 18 lakhs have been spent on upgradation of stairs leading to Baba Mandir and Jamai Masjid Kud. He said Rs. 7 lakhs have been spent on development of Bowli and Children Park at Kud and Patnitop.Kaiser said that budget accommodation at Surinsar has been completed at a cost of Rs. 245.78 crores while 70 percent work on similar accommodation at Kud has been completed upto 70 percent. He said de-weeding, de-silting, paved path, benches, rain shelters and landscaping is under implementation under development cum conservation schemes for Sanasar Lake is on apace and 60 percent work of the project has been completed so far. He said under Rural Tourism Scheme Rs. 80 lakhs are being spent on creation of view points, dormitory and shops.