Order asking Gulmarg hotels to cancel tourist bookings revoked

Srinagar, February 12

The authorities in Baramulla district on Friday withdrew an order asking hotels to cancel pre-bookings at the famous ski-resort of Gulmarg to accommodate participants of Khelo India National Winter Games after the move drew sharp criticism.

The order was withdrawn a day after it was issued by the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Baramulla.

For accommodating athletes, officials

The order by the Additional Deputy Commissioner of Baramulla on Thursday had asked hoteliers at the ski-resort of Gulmarg to accommodate athletes and officials of the Khelo India National Winter Games and cancel pre-bookings of tourists from February 25 to March 3.

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“The order has been withdrawn,” Deputy Commissioner, Baramulla, Mohammad Aijaz Asad said.

The move had drawn sharp reaction from the National Conference, which termed it as “mindless application of government writ”.

Asad said there was no need for such an order to be issued in the first place. “It was not required,” he added.

Another official in the administration said the hoteliers had already committed to reserve the rooms for the games’ period and, as such, there was no requirement for such an order which only created a controversy.

The order had asked hoteliers to accommodate athletes and officials and cancel pre-bookings of tourists from February 25 to March 3.

In a letter to the Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Gulmarg, the Additional Deputy Commissioner had asked him to ensure that boarding and lodging facilities were provided to the athletes and officials during the event.

“Further, all pre-bookings, if any, on this account may be cancelled,” the letter read.

The week-long games are scheduled to start on February 25.

The letter had also been sent to president of Hoteliers’ Club, Gulmarg chapter, Mukhtar Ahmad Shah for compliance.

National Conference vice-president and former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had criticised the order, saying it was “mindless application of government writ”.

“The games are a welcome addition to our calendar but its mindless application of government writ when the games become a reason to cancel hotel bookings & inconvenience tourists who have booked flights & made their plans well in advance,” he tweeted. — PTI