Srinagar, March 05:  Reacting to the latest order on Srinagar Golf course, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president  and former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti has said that the sale of Royal Golf Spring is another example of how the government is “developing” this region post Aug 5 decision.

“Everything has been put on “SALE”. This is yet another step to sell our assets to non local businesses,” Mehbooba said in a statment.

“Kashmir is the oldest golfing destination not just in South Asia but perhaps East of Suez. Gulmarg, Kashmir Golf clubs are the second oldest after Calcutta. Our golf clubs are not mere real estate as GOI is treating the state but an essential part of our identity and heritage”.

She said if the present administration finds the maintenance difficult because of its inherent inefficiency and agenda, it should focus on improving the organisation running the golf courses and hire experts from anywhere.

“Whether Jammu or in Kashmir selling golf courses is unacceptable as we’ve witnessed that this outsourcing generally ends up in ownerships and irreversible. Tourism being our key sector , the order says , many properties of jktdc and tourism department are being given out . This when in Gulmarg they are not renewing the leases to the local hoteliers.This looks like taking every important avenue from our hands .On the one hand poor people are being hounded out of what has been theirs for generations and on the other premier assets are up for sale”.

“The August 5 decision led to rampant exploitation of land resources, jobs, and rivers in the region, with outsiders being given preference over locals. This has resulted in a rise in unemployment, drug abuse, mafia activities, environmental degradation and above all dispossession and disempowerment of locals” .