From rxpgnews.com
Gulmarg land lease decision put on hold
By Indo Asian News Service,
Nov 24, 2006 - 1:12:17 AM
Srinagar, Nov 23 - The Jammu and Kashmir government Thursday decided to review its decision to lease land to local residents for setting up joint ventures with outside investors in the tourist resort of Gulmarg.
Tourism Minister Muhammad Dilawar Mir told a press meet here that the Gulmarg land lease decision was being put on hold till its re-examination by the state cabinet.
The move follows mounting pressure against the proposal from many quarters, including separatists and trader organisations here.
Mir said the decision to lease out 550 kanals of land - had been taken by the cabinet headed by Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad.
'National Conference president Omar Abdullah has been claiming that the decision to lease out land in Gulmarg is part of the People's Democratic Party - agenda as dictated by New Delhi.
'Let me be very clear about it: the decision was taken by the state cabinet headed by the chief minister,' said the minister.
'The decision was aimed at creating a world-class infrastructure base for the development of the place as the ultimate destination for tourists from around the world. It was not aimed at selling out Gulmarg or Kashmir in any way,' Mir said.
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