The opposition PDP today called upon the Jammu and Kashmir government to re-employ over 150 youths whose services as daily-basis employees in the tourism department were "arbitrarily discontinued."
"It is ironical that on the one hand the state government is claiming to be making fresh recruitments and on the other had they are throwing out those who have been working for it for many years," PDP President Mehbooba Mufti said.
Interacting with a delegation of tour and travel operators, Mehbooba alleged the new recruitment policy of the state government aimed at "accommodating the favourites", and sought to know whether the decision of "discontinuation" was to generate space for the same.
Mehbooba further said while implementing policies for expansion of religious tourism, the government should ensure that economic benefits are extended equitably to all stake-holders in the sector.
"Amarnath pilgrimage has been part of the social fabric of Kashmir and it is important that its economic benefits reach the local travel industry and the population in concerned areas," she said.
