The President of Janta Dal (United) Jammu & Kashmir, G.M. Shaheen, has urged the Prime Minister of India to announce an immediate Special Relief Package for the tourism sector in Jammu & Kashmir, warning that the region has witnessed “zero tourism for an entire year.”
In a strongly worded statement, Shaheen said that thousands of families dependent on tourism have been pushed into severe financial distress, with “no meaningful support from the authorities.”
“People who have served tourists for decades are today struggling to feed their families. The government cannot remain a spectator anymore. We need a Prime Minister’s Special Package that can rescue this sector before it suffers permanent damage,” Shaheen said.
He highlighted that the crisis has not only impacted hotels but has also devastated the livelihoods of taxi drivers, shikara operators, pony-walas, houseboat owners, artisans, travel agents, photographers, shopkeepers and tourist guides, many of whom have been without work for several months.
Shaheen laid out several urgent measures he said the government must implement to prevent further damage to the sector:
Direct financial assistance to families entirely dependent on tourism, many of whom have exhausted their savings.
Easy, interest-free loans to help small hotel owners, transporters, and houseboat operators revive their businesses without falling deeper into debt.
Temporary reduction of GST on hotels, transport services, and other tourism-related businesses until the situation improves.
A national publicity campaign to restore tourist confidence and draw visitors back to Jammu and Kashmir.
Immediate restoration and repair of tourism infrastructure, which he said has suffered from prolonged neglect.
Calling for a ground-level assessment, Shaheen urged the Prime Minister to dispatch a high-level central team to Jammu & Kashmir.
“Every week of delay pushes thousands of families deeper into crisis. The Prime Minister must step in immediately,” he said.
Shaheen reaffirmed JDU’s commitment to supporting every tourism worker in the region and vowed to continue raising the issue “at every platform until relief is delivered.”
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