Leh, June 12: Stating that tourism has direct bearing on the economic prosperity of the state, Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah Sunday called for extending best hospitality to the tourists so that they carry the message of love, brotherhood and peace from here.
“Our behaviour and treatment to tourists should be such that they would love to visit here again and again,” Omar said while addressing Sindu Darshan festival here.
The Chief Minister highlighted the state’s tourist potential and said that Leh and Kargil offer wide-ranging interest for heritage, adventure and conventional tourism.
 Omar said last year’s flash flood in Ladakh marred the tourist season to a great extent. “I am happy to note that a good number of tourists are present in the festival and I have also been informed that arrivals this year have surpassed the tourist flow of last year till date,” he said.
 The Chief Minster mentioned the stupendous service rendered by the tourists in the rescue and relief operations during the flash floods last year and expressed his gratitude to them for the outstanding gesture.

SURVEY OF ZOJILA TUNNEL ON FAST TRACK
 The Chief Minister said that survey of Zojila tunnel is on fast track. “We expect its completion soon and hope the Central Government would take up this project on priority keeping in view its urgency and economic significance for Ladakh region,” he said underlining the importance of dependable and round the year communication facility for remote and backward areas of Leh and Kargil.
 Omar said last year’s flood in Leh have caused delay in the completion and commissioning of 45 MW Numo-Bazgo Hydel project. “Its completion is expected during the next year”, he said adding that Leh and Kargil would be connected with the Northern Power Grid through a prestigious transmission line project estimated to cost over Rs. 12700 crores.
 On restoration of flood-hit agriculture land in Leh, Omar said that State Government has released its share of Rs 2 crores for the same and the promised Central assistance of about Rs 20 crores is being persuaded.
 The Chief Minister said that Sindu Festival is getting popularity year after year and attracting tourists from all over the world to this part of the state. He expressed the hope that the trend will continue.
 Minister for Tourism, Nawang Rigzin Jora also spoke on the occasion.
 Later, the Chief Minister at a meeting reviewed the general development in Leh district with special focus on rehabilitation of flood-hit families.
 Minister for Tourism, Nawang Rigzin Jora, Chief Executive Councilors of LAHDC Leh and Kargil, Rigzin Talbar and Kachu Ahmad Ali were present in the meeting.

FINLAND AMBASSADOR CALLS ON CM
 Finland Ambassador to India, Terhi Hakala called on Chief Minister, Omar Abdullah in Srinagar on Sunday and discussed various matters relating to the socio-economic development in the State, an official spokesman said.
 “The focus in the discussion was mainly on utilizing the biomass potential of Jammu and Kashmir for the generation of energy to supplement the production of hydro electric energy in the State and shrink the gap between its availability and demand,” he said.
 “The Finnish Ambassador apprised the Chief Minister of the expertise of Finland in this field and offered assistance to the state in harnessing bio-energy,” he said.
 The Chief Minister, according to he spokesman, apprised the Finland Ambassador of the initiatives taken by the State Government for utilizing various resources to generate energy and give considerable fillip to industrialization and overall economic growth of the State.
 Hakala showed keen interest in the innovative measures put in place by the State Government for holistic and equitable development in Jammu and Kashmir particularly in the field of power development and utilization of new and renewable energy resources.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 12 Jun 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 12 Jun 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 13 Jun 2011 00:00:00 IST