| Adults to pay Rs100, children Rs 50 | | 9 fold increase in Betaab Valley entry fee | | Saahil Suhail
Early Times Report
Pahalgam, June 3: With Pahalgam Development Authority (PDA) hiking the entry fee of famous scenic spot-Betab Valley from Rs 15 to Rs 100, it seems that the nodal agency meant for the development of this world famous tourist spot is restricting the entry of middle and poor class to this picturesque spot.
An order issued by the Chief Executive Officer of PDA on 1stJune this year reads, "Consequent upon the orders of Hon'ble Chief Minister J&K given during his recent visit to Betab valley Pahalgam on 12-05-2015, it is hereby ordered to revised entry fee scheduled for Betab valley picnic spot shall remain as adults Rs 100 and children/students Rs 50."
Entry fee rates according to the issued order have been hiked from Rs 15 to Rs 100 for adults and from Rs 5 to 50 for children. Interestingly PDA is all set to lease out the scenic spot to a blue-eyed contractor at meager amount for 5 years.
The revision of the entry fee has evoked serve criticism from the people. "After abolishing the 72- year- old Muncipal Committee , it seems the government as planned to make Pahalgam a destination for the elite only," social activist Mushtaq Pahalgami told Early Times.
"It was disappointing to see students returning back from Betab Valley with even making an entry into the spot due to increased entry fee," Pahalgami said, asking government to revisit the decision and fix the rates which local tourists particularly students can afford.
He said that there was no harm in revising the rates but hiking the rates nine times was injustice with the tourists particularly with students. "We are more dependent on local tourism than national and international visitors, lakhs of students from our region-Kashmir visit Pahalgam every year so revising and hiking entry fee rates to this extent will keep students away from such famed spots," Mushtaq added.
Locals said that there should be separate entry fee rates for local tourists. "If they will charge 100 rupees per adult from a national tourist we don't have any problem but charging Kashmiri students is unacceptable and injustice with Kashmiris," a local resident Muzaffer Lone said.
Chief Executive Officer, Pahalgam Development Authority, Reyaz Ahmad Wani when contacted said, "From past several years PDA hasn't revised the rates so the rate were revised and hiked,"
When asked was it appropriate to hike rates to such extent, Wani said, "I am helpless at any cost I have to comply the orders of Chief Minister." |
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