SRINAGAR: The government today denied there is any move to develop Tosmaidan as tourist resort in the central Kashmir district of Badgam, which is under the lease of Army presently.
In reply to a question by DR Shafi Ahmad Wani of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) from Beerwah constituency, Tourism Minister Ghulam Ahmad Mir said the lease of Tosmaidan to the Army will end in 2014.
“We also want that the lease should not be extended as it is a very beautiful place for tourism,” he said.
Mr Mir said whether or not the lease will be extended, the government will constitute ‘Tosmaidan Development Authority’ to develop it and another nearby place called ‘ Sita Harran’.
The Minister said his ministry deals with tourism only and there is another minister for extending or stopping lease of Tosmaidan to the Army. Before he could say anything more as PDP members were shouting, Speaker Mr Mubarak Gul said the Question-Hour was over.
Earlier in a written reply, the Minister said that as on date there is no proposal to develop Tosmaidan as tourist resort in view of the prevailing security situation and presence of security forces in that area.
Notably, both the factions of the Hurriyat Conference (NC) besides other separatist leaders and Civil Society has urged that lease should not be extended after 2014.
Villagers of the area also protested and said once the area will be vacated by Army and developed, tourists from different parts of the country and abroad will visit there, which could generate employment for them.
