Karnataka takes a leaf out of Maharashtra, offers to invest in J&K

BENGALURU: The Karnataka government has written to Jammu & Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik offering to invest in the hospitality sector in the valley, mirroring a similar move by Maharashtra which earlier this month proposed to build resorts in Srinagar and Ladakh.
The Centre and the J&K administration have been campaigning for investments in Jammu, Kashmir and Ladakh after the parliament revoked the special status of Jammu & Kashmir. The moves by the two states would bolster this effort and create employment opportunities for the local youth.

“We have written to Governor Satya Pal Malik two days ago and have asked for land there,” Karnataka’s tourism & culture minister CT Ravi told ET.

According to the minister, Karnataka State Tourism Development Corporation (KSTDC) will set up a luxury hotel or a resort, depending on the response from the J&K government.

Karnataka, which is home to a number of Kashmiris, is also looking for a reciprocal arrangement in view of the attraction Karnataka’s education, healthcare and wellness sectors hold for Kashmiris. “We are also keen to set up a culture and information centre in J&K. We will use the centre to provide information about the vibrant education sector that we have, and the courses on offer. We also have a strong network of good hospitals and wellness centres,” the minister said.

Ravi said this is not the first time the state government intends to invest outside of Karnataka. KSTDC already runs hotels in Ooty, Tamil Nadu and Goa.

BJP-ruled Karnataka and Maharashtra have shown keenness on complimenting the Centre’s efforts to bring about normality in the twin union territories at the earliest with development initiatives. Offers of investment have come from both the government and private players. Asia’s largest helmet manufacturer Steelbird was among the first to make an offer to set up a manufacturing plant in J&K.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, during his trip to the UAE last month, urged the NRIs in the Middle East to invest in J&K, saying the region offers a huge scope for investment as it has been neglected for long, and can now emerge as one of India’s growth engines. The Centre has also planned an investor summit in Srinagar in November.