Owais Gul
Srinagar, Dec 19: Gulmarg—a famous ski-resort in north Kashmir’s Baramulla district, witnessing a huge flow of tourists throughout the year, especially in winters, will face a serious ramifications in case there is no revocation of the decision taken by the government about ending the owners right to hold on to properties on lease in Jammu and Kashmir. The hoteliers in the Valley are expecting a positive response from the government in a bid to ensure that the livelihood of hundreds of families is not affected.
“Of total 59 structures in the shape of hotels, restaurants and others in Gulmarg, 58 will have to be closed as the lease has ended. In case there is no change to the government directive, the families of all those employees as well as the hoteliers will get directly affected,” Mushtaq Ahmad Chaya, a well-known hotelier of Kashmir, and Chairman of the Jammu and Kashmir Hoteliers Club, said.
“The major impact will be on hoteliers in Gulmarg. But, like other parts of the country, we are expecting the government to come up with a favourable decision so that the endeavour of the government to increase the employment avenues and also reduce the unemployment rate will not get affected,” he said.
“We have no dispute with the government, but want a peaceful solution to the issue. The hoteliers are ready to pay even enhanced rates to extend the lease to them. We know the lease has ended and want the government to look into the issue and come up with a favourable decision,” he said.
“We appeal the government to take some measures favouring the hoteliers, so that they could heave a sigh of relief,” he said.
