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Kashmir is now Cash-mir: allege tourists

YB WEB DESK. Dated: 5/20/2022 1:49:41 PM

Srinagar, May 19 Kashmir valley is witnessing a significant increase in tourist arrivals but at the same time “fraud” is on the rise. Tourists and tourism professionals alike are happy, but with this bumper season comes complaints of overcharging and fraud. People associated with tourism say that the process of nexus has increased which is damaging the image of Kashmiri hospitality. A delegation of Tourists while speaking to CNS alleged that there is a complete nexus between Shikara owners and showrooms that work on commissions and are robbing many tourists. We came across many such Shikara owners who are taking an undue advantage on the rates either by overcharging or getting commission from showrooms. One who can prefer the shopping of their own choice are being forced to get the same from particular showroom in the lake which is totally wrong and unethical,” said Rajesh Goud from Andhra Pradesh. They further added that Shikara owners operating at various ghats Particularly Ghat 17 and 10 A of Dal lake are charging Rs 5000-6000 for site seeing and because of these things forcing us to have bad impact of tourism sector in the valley. ”I am a stranger here in “CashMir” and don’t know anything about this place. I agreed to pay Rs 5500 for the five spot seeing to a Shikara owner but fortunately, a Kashmiri youth informed me about the actual rate that I was supposed to pay”, said Tota Naidu who was on family vacations adding that tourist police must check these elements who indulge in exploitation and loot. Meanwhile, speaking to CNS, DySP Tourism Enforcement police, Sandeep Kour said that the department also received complaints of overcharging which is being looked into by the police enforcement teams.