Srinagar, Nov 1: The state government on Thursday removed Director Tourism, Tasaduq Jeelani, and has ordered an enquiry “into the incident that occurred during Kashmir FAM tour”.
The order followed Tasaduq’s festival speech ridiculing the guest tourism leaders.
“In the interest of administration, Mr Tasaduq Jeelani, KAS shall, with immediate effect cease to discharge the duties and functions attached to the post of Director Tourism, Kashmir, which shall henceforth and until further orders, be discharged by the Divisional Commissioner , Kashmir in addition to own duties,” an order by the Government Administration Department read.
In a separate order, the government has directed the Divisional Commissioner Kashmir to submit the report of the fact-finding enquiry into the incidents to GAD within 10 days.
“Divisional Commissioner Kashmir shall conduct a fact finding enquiry into the incidents reported to have occurred during the events organised by the Tourism Department under the Kashmir Familiarization tour from October 25 to 27, 2018,” the order reads.
Earlier this week, a video clip of Jeelani speech to outside state based tour associations in the hotel went viral on social networking sites in which the former director was expressing his annoyance against absent guests.
“I am very upset as the association leaders whom I expected to be here on these chairs but they have slept. I wanted to get their feedback whether positive or negative,” Jeelani is seen addressing the delegations in the video clip.
While many are heard laughing in the background of the video, he suddenly makes a remark “Khuda mujhse sab kuch le saktahain,…Jaanbhi le saktahainmagarmerizubaannahin. (God can take away everything from me, my life even but he can’t take my voice).”
The entire speech was debated on social media, with netizens flaying the former director’s approach towards the guests.
Sources said that the video was duly analysed by the government after which a decision was taken to remove Jeelani from the director’s post.
The FAM Kashmir Autumn was attended by over 70 delegates from different parts of the country including leading travel agents and tour operators, filmmakers, representatives from print and electronic media.
The Kashmir FAM Tour was organised in an effort to offset “negative perception” about Kashmir.
