Srinagar, Sep 11: The Houseboat Owners Association on Sunday held its much awaited General Body meeting called by the caretaker Chairman Manzoor Ahmed Wangnoo who said the new elections would be held on September 20.

 The meeting started with a speech by Wangnoo who cleared apprehensions, if any, in the minds of some of the houseboats owners about the working of the association and also holding of elections.

 The caretaker reiterated that he wasn’t against holding of elections but wanted the same to be held in “democratic way as per the constitution and audit of the accounts.” He constituted a committee to look into the accounts.
 In his glasnost, he appealed the invitees to pose as many questions as they could so that “doubts if any get cleared.”

 He highlighted the achievements made during his two years of tenure which include construction of dockyard at Foreshore Road and opening of booking counter for houseboats at Srinagar International Airport. He also hailed his predecessors at the chair for their efforts.

 Wangnoo said he was trying his best to get the loans waived off for the fraternity for they “underwent turbulent conditions in the past 20 years.”

 He hailed the Tourism Minister Nawang Rigzin Jora, Director Tourism Farooq Ahmed Shah and LAWDA VC Irfan Yasin and others for their support to the fraternity on various fronts. He also hailed Greater Kashmir for highlighting the issues of his fraternity from time to time.

 He also said that the man who had moved Court alleging that Wangnoo was creating hindrances in the HBOA elections didn’t even have a houseboat registered in his name.

 The houseboats owners hailed him for his endeavors saying he was their “friend, philosopher and guide.” 

 The caretaker chairman appealed his fraternity to try follow the footsteps of Prophet Muhammad (SAW) for success in the life and hereafter. He also asked them to get their wards educated to level of professionals like doctors and engineers.

Lastupdate on : Sun, 11 Sep 2011 21:30:00 Makkah time
Lastupdate on : Sun, 11 Sep 2011 18:30:00 GMT
Lastupdate on : Mon, 12 Sep 2011 00:00:00 IST