Announce package for houseboat industry: Soz to J&K Lt Governor Sinha
Srinagar/UNI: Former Union Minister Prof Saifuddin Soz on Thursday urged Jammu and Kashmir Lt Governor Manoj Sinha to announce a financial package for the houseboat industry which has suffered tremendously due to the fall in tourist arrivals in Kashmir valley and the COVID-19 pandemic.
“I feel extremely sad that Kashmir’s traditional houseboat industry is facing bad conditions, the houseboat owners have been reduced to a very bad economic state due to falling number of domestic and foreign tourists and the pandemic has further deepened their misery," Soz said in a statement.
"I have approached J&K Lt. Governor Manoj Sinha through a letter today, requesting him to please take notice of this ‘now dilapidated industry'’’, reads the statement.
Soz urged Lt Governor Sinha to take note of the dying industry and announce a package for them.
“I have urged the Lt. Governor to sanction a package for this industry with a view to providing aid for the reconstruction of the houseboats and financial help to houseboat owners”, Soz said.
“The industry has suffered heavily due to Covid-19 pandemic and reduction in the number of domestic and foreign visitors in Kashmir valley for sojourn,” Soz added.
He requested Lt. Governor to invite the Houseboat Owners Association to know the plight of people directly or indirectly involved in this tourist sector.
"I also expressed my hope that the Lt. Governor would initiate action, in this connection, at the earliest,” Soz added.
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