Srinagar, June 22
When Daisuke Nakazawa of Japan lodged a complaint through an e-mail to
the Tourism Department in April against travel agents, who charged
exorbitantly from him, his Indian experience told him that it was most
likely to be a futile exercise. A few days later, Nakazawa again sent an
e- mail to the SP (Tourism) expressing gratitude for refunding the
money.
Something, he said, was incredible. A little-known Act meant for tourists visiting the state, but known to only a few of them, has been proving to be a most effective and speedy mechanism for redressing the grievances of tourists, taken for a ride by houseboat owners, guides and shopkeepers.
The J and K Registration of Tourist Trade Act gives the tourism police judicial powers to summon guilty traders, fine them or even send them behind bars as soon as a complainant approaches them. No unending court trial as within a few days the matter is decided.
The Act, enacted keeping the interest of the tourist in mind, is so friendly to travellers that even their presence is not essential and a written complaint from them often suffices. And if they deserve any refund, it is sent to them by the department.
“I believe, it’s an unique Act, but the only problem is that not many visitors seem to know about its existence,” SP (Tourism)
M.S. Punoo said. Other states popular among tourists have also evinced a keen interest in the Act, and an official delegation from Goa was here recently to study it.
Official statistics say that 196 complaints have been filed in the on-going season by tourists who have given a raw deal by traders. Acting on it, the tourism police has imposed a fine of Rs 45,500 against the guilty while Rs 43,241 from them has been refunded to the travellers. Last year, Rs 3.92 lakh was refunded while a total fine of Rs 70,500 was imposed on the erring dealers.
There, however, is a problem for officials in going all-out to ensure that the traders go by the book and do not overprice or sell substandard products. In a terrain as big and difficult as the state, the sanctioned strength of the tourism police is only 106, and the present strength is even less.
