Security forces occupy 21 hotels, govt employees 46

Jammu, Mar 31 (UNI) The Jammu and Kashmir government today said 21 hotels have been occupied by the security forces and 46 by the government employees in summer capital while 14 hotels are hired for ''protected persons.'' Transport minister Mangat Ram Sharma told the assembly Rs.41.46 lakh and Rs.22 lakh are being paid for 21 hotels and 14 hotels as monthly rent and Rs.3.16 crores is paid for a period of six months during summer for the Darbar move employees.

He said the accommodation at Srinagar and other tourist spot of Kashmir during peak tourist season falls short of the demand. In the recent past, a number of hotels under occupation of security forces in areas of major tourist thrust particularly in the vicinity of Dal Lake have been vacated and the occupants provided alternative accommodation, he added.

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