New Delhi, Sept 15: As part of Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee's assurance to create one lakh jobs in Jammu and Kashmir, tourism ministry has decided to provide a package for revival of the tourism industry in order to create 35,000 jobs in the state. Under the package, which comes into force with immediate effect, loans varying between Rs one lakh and three lakhs with subsidised interest would be provided to houseboat owners to renovate their boats and make them functional and Rs 50,000 per room for renovation depending upon the categories of hotels, except five stars, Tourism Minister Jagmohan told a select group of reporters here today. While a capital grant of Rs 20,000 would be provided for repair and upgradation of 'shikaras', one time capital subsidy of upto Rs 10,000 and soft loan upto Rs 30,000 per annum would be provided to ponywallas to buy new ponies.
He said that the package would be applicable only to the units located in the Kashmir Valley. The ministry has also sanctioned Rs 7.35 crore to the state government for the integrated development of various historical shrines and other tourists spots, he said.
He said the houseboat owners would be provided loans by banks at their lending rates and the ministry would provide a subsidy so that the owner gets the loan at four per cent interest. The ministry would pay the difference between prime lending rates and four per cent, Jagmohan added. Bureau Report