Pahalgam: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today held a meeting of the Council of Ministers at Pahalgam to demonstrate the resolve of the Government to restart normal routine in Pahalgam, send a welcoming message to tourists and to vehemently reject all kinds of violence and attempts to derail peace in Jammu & Kashmir, an official spokesman said.
This is the first time the cabinet meeting has been convened outside Srinagar or Jammu, during this government’s present tenure.
This was the 11th Council of Minister’s meeting and various agenda items were taken up for discussion and decision, officials said.
They said, the decision to hold this cabinet meeting comes two days after CM Omar on Saturday at the NITI Aayog General Council meeting proposed to revive J&K tourism sector which has been severely impacted by the Baisaran terror attack, suggesting that Parliamentary committees, PSUs & Central Government departments to hold meetings/ conferences in Kashmir to rebuild the confidence among general people intending to visit J&K in future.
To continue with his efforts to restore normalcy, CM Omar Abdullah shall be taking a meeting of all Ministers and Administrative Secretaries at Gulmarg on Wednesday, which according to an official statement is aimed to alleviate fear, reinforce sense of security and trust, and ultimately pave the way for the revival of tourism in Kashmir and boost economic activities in the region.
In his first press conference since the April 22 terror attack in Baisaran meadows, Abdullah said that tourism should be “conflict-neutral” and not serve as a gauge for normalcy.
Abdullah also focused on the complex governance structure in Jammu and Kashmir, particularly in the context of security and tourism revival and said that “there is a strange system in JK as tourism is my responsibility, but security is not my responsibility.
“Three governments will have to work together here – the elected government of J&K (Omar Abdullah’s government), the un-elected government (Lt Governor’s administration) in J&K, and the Centre.”
Abdullah highlighted the crucial role of the Centre in supporting J&K’s tourism sector, noting recent high-level discussions with Prime Minister Narendra Modi and said, “How can you revive tourism without giving a sense of security to the people?”
Asked whether the prime minister will be helping in the revival of tourism, Abdullah said, “The Prime Minister has made some strides as well. The Prime Minister chaired a meeting on how to revive tourism in J&K a few days back.
“Two days back, there was a meeting of the NITI Aayog in Delhi and I got an opportunity to talk to him and we discussed the way to restore tourism in J&K. While I cannot share the details here, some concrete steps will be taken by the Centre on that,” he said.
The chief minister opened by expressing profound gratitude to the people of Kashmir, particularly those in Pahalgam, for their unified condemnation of the recent terror strike.
“I want to thank the people of Kashmir, especially those of Pahalgam, who condemned and stood in one voice against the April 22 terror strike on tourists. For this, I thank them and salute them,” he stated.
Responding to concerns about the closure of tourist destinations post-attack, the chief minister indicated a cautious, phased reopening.
“The last five to six weeks have been a difficult time for the country, especially for the people of Jammu and Kashmir. So I would suggest we will conduct a security audit of various tourist destinations and gradually start opening them.”
He specifically mentioned closed sites like Aru and Betaab valleys in Pahalgam, Thajwas glacier in Sonamarg, and even Badamwari and Tulip Garden in Srinagar.
“If we have to close Tulip Garden, then we have to shut the whole of Kashmir. I think we have to show some courage and reopen these destinations slowly. The time has come to review the list.”
Abdullah also detailed the ongoing discussions with the Centre regarding financial relief for tourism stakeholders burdened by loans.
He said that his concern extends from large hotel owners to small businesses like homestay operators and taxi drivers who have invested significantly.
“My concern stretches across the various facets of our tourism industry and this conversation has already started with the Centre,” he said, indicating active engagement at the central level.
The chief minister also stressed the importance of proactive outreach in promoting Jammu and Kashmir as a safe destination.
“We are actively exploring how best we can participate in the upcoming travel fairs like the TTF in Kolkata and Hyderabad,” he said, aiming to “take our message that JK wants to be open for business again to these markets”.
The Amarnath Yatra, which will begin in July, was also discussed during the press briefing with Abdullah expressing the government’s commitment to its safe and successful conclusion.
While acknowledging potential impacts on some destinations, he emphasised that other areas like Srinagar, Gulmarg and Yusmarg remain “open for business,” asserting that “the yatra and tourism revival can go hand in hand”.
After the special cabinet meeting on Tuesday, the chief minister’s office posted on X pictures of the meeting held at the Pahalgam Club.
In a message on ‘X’, his office posted that it was not just a routine administrative exercise, but a clear message – “we are not intimidated by cowardly acts of terror”.
“The enemies of peace will never dictate our resolve. Jammu & Kashmir stands firm, strong, and unafraid,” it said.
