SRINAGAR, NOVEMBER 06: Commissioner Secretary Tourism, Yasha Mudgal, today chaired a meeting at the Civil Secretariat here, to discuss various issues of the Houseboat Owners Association.
The meeting was attended by the Director of Tourism Kashmir, the Director Planning Tourism Department, the Additional Secretary, the Deputy Secretary, and representatives of Houseboat Owners.
The Commissioner Secretary said that the department is aware of the concerns of the houseboat owners and steps are afoot to resolve those on priority. She said that the government is committed to promoting the interests of all stakeholders and houseboat owners are key stakeholders in the framework.
While crediting the success of tourism to joint initiatives by stakeholders and the department, Mudgal said that constant and structured consultations on issues are the way to work out solutions and enhance the standards of the tourism sector.
The session facilitated open dialogue with houseboat representatives calling for framing a comprehensive policy for safeguarding the houseboats and running their business in a sustainable manner under a single window system.
They also raised issues such as renewal of licenses, repair/reconstruction of houseboats, rehabilitation of houseboat owners, allotment of timber, and counters at airport and railway stations.
They demanded a grant of trekking permission for the houseboat owners as per past practice, besides projecting the need for a fire service station at Nigeen Lake, and boat yards besides the declaration of houseboats as heritage.
Yasha Mudgal assured all support to them in addressing their genuine issues and grievances.
