New Delhi: In an important move ahead of the crucial Assembly polls, Maharashtra could well become the first state to purchase land in the two newly-created Union Territories of J&K and Ladakh. While confirming the move, home ministry sources said the Maharashtra government has indeed expressed interest in being the first state to procure land in the two UTs.
The land would be used for setting up resort by the state tourism for promoting religious and adventure tourism with special focus on travellers from Maharashtra. Sources said the state government will soon rope in consultants to advise them, where the land should be purchased for the new projects. Sources said the state government is keen on setting up tour-ism projects near Srinagar and Leh but will wait for the consultants to prepare a detailed report on the issue.
“This is a good initiative by the Maharashtra government as it would bring in investment in the new UTs. We hope that in the days ahead, other states and private sector also get encouraged to start new projects as both J&K and Ladakh have tremendous potential particularly in the tourism sector,’’ a senior ministry official added.
Meanwhile, the home ministry has also decided to provide adequate security and an insurance cover of Rs 2 lakh each to all sarpanch and panch in J&K. It has also been decided that at least five government jobs will be created for every village in J&K, which would be given to local residents. These decisions were taken at a meeting of the village heads and panchayat members with home minister Amit Shah in the capital on Tuesday.
Mr Shah also assured the delegation that government will soon ease restrictions.
