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| State losses Rs 16 Cr as PDA leases out 'Betab Valley' | | | Saahil Suhail
Anantnag, June 5: After causing deliberate delay in leasing out famed 'Betab valley' a picturesque spot in the world famous Pahalgam resort, the Pahalgam development authority (PDA) has now gave away the spot to meager amount of Rs 7.90 Cr which after hiking the entry fee could generate more than Rs 24 Cr.
Official sources said that on final day of bidding on Thursday, highest bid was recorded Rs 7.90 Cr.
Pertinently, the entry fee of the same scenic spot was hiked nine fold in this month and that according to economic experts can generate more than Rs 24 Cr now.
"Last year the same spot was leased out at Rs 60 lacs and rates were Rs 15 and Rs 5 for adults and children respectively but now when PDA has hiked rates by nine fold (Rs 100 and Rs 50 for adults and children respectively), the spot is all set to generate more than Rs 24 Cr," an official.
He said that delay in the process of leasing out Betab Valley by the `tainted' Chief Executive Officer of Pahalgam Development Authority (PDA) Reyaz Ahmad Wani who is claiming to be a relative of Chief Minister was to accommodate a blue-eyed contractor.
Official sources said that entry fee rates were too hiked to benefit the blue-eyed contractor. "Hiking rates to such extent is totally against the norms. They can 3% to 4% but not 9 fold," A retired tourism official opined and said loss to state which is in financial mess is unacceptable.
Pertinently, Pahalgam Development Authority on 1st of this month revised rates on the directions of Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed. An order issued by the Chief Executive Officer of Pahalgam Development Authority (PDA) in this regard 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."
With officials maintaining that the fee was revised on the directions of the chief minister who is also holding the tourism portfolio, insiders and locals who solely rely on the tourism industry for their livelihood allege that the move is aimed to benefit a political influential person.
CEO, PDA when contacted confirmed to early Times that they recorded highest bid at Rs 7.90 Cr. When asked why preferred to lease out the spot to this amount after hiking entry fee rates to 9 times more, he said, "calculations were done after collecting revenue at the spot for four consecutive days and still it is up to Chairman (Director Tourism Kashmir) whether he will approve it or not."
Government spokesman Nayeem Akther and Director Tourism Farooq Ahmad Shah were not available for a comment as they avoided repeated calls. |
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