Omar assures review of Public Service Guarantee Act

Stresses protection of Pandit properties, push for responsible tourism

02/04/2026

Jammu, Apr 1: Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday assured a comprehensive review of the Public Service Guarantee (PSG) Act, reiterated the government's responsibility to safeguard properties of displaced Kashmiri Pandits, and outlined steps to promote responsible tourism in the Union Territory.""Replying to discussions in the Assembly, Abdullah said the government will constitute a panel of senior officers to examine the PSG Act and suggest necessary amendments to imp-rove its effectiveness. He was responding to a private member's bill moved by BJP legislator Ranbir Singh Pathania seeking changes in the law." ""The objective of the Act is to ensure time-bound delivery of services. If there are gaps, they need to be addressed," he said, adding that any legislative changes, if required, would be brought before the House in the next session. Pathania later withdrew the bill." "During a separate discussion, the chief minister asserted that it is the government's responsibility to protect the properties and religious shrines of displaced Kashmiri Pandits until their safe and dignified return to the Valley." "Opposing a private member's bill moved by National Conference legislator Arjun Singh Raju, Abdullah said the government is open to bringing legislation on the issue, provided there is consensus within the community. The bill was later withdrawn."
"He said successive governments have committed to facilitating the return of Kashmiri Pandits, but acknowledged that conditions for their return are yet to be fully realised. He also noted that in many areas, local residents have helped preserve temples in the absence of the displaced community." "On tourism, Abdullah said the government is strengthening training and regulatory mechanisms to ensure safety, service quality and responsible practices across the sector." "Responding to a question by MLA TanvirSadiq, he said regular training programmes are being conducted for stakeholders in areas such as hospitality, guiding, first aid and risk management.""He added that grievance redressal systems are in place through helplines and tourist reception centres, and over 500 complaints have been received since January last year, most of which have been addressed.""The chief minister emphasised that maintaining service standards and responsible conduct is crucial for sustaining tourism growth in Jammu and Kashmir.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday asserted that it is the responsibility of the government to ensure protection of the properties and religious shrines of displaced Kashmiri Pandits until their safe and dignified return to the valley.
Opposing a private member's bill tabled by National Conference legislator Arjun Singh Raju in the Assembly, Abdullah said his government is ready to bring a law on the subject, provided there is consensus within the community. Raju has moved the bill seeking better management, protection, administration and governance of Kashmiri Hindu shrines and religious places in the Union Territory (UT).
"No one can deny that Kashmiri Pandits were compelled to leave the valley and settle in Jammu or elsewhere outside J&K under extremely difficult circumstances. They were forced to migrate after their security was compromised, and unless that sense of safety is fully restored, their return cannot be expected,' the chief minister said.
"Since 1990, all governments - both at the Centre and in Jammu and Kashmir - have reiterated their commitment to facilitating the dignified return of Kashmiri Pandits, but the necessary conditions for their return are yet to be created," he said. The chief minister said that until their return, it is the government's responsibility to safeguard the properties of Kashmiri Pandits, particularly their religious places and land.
After the 1996 elections, when a National Conference (NC) government was formed, he said a law was introduced to prevent the distress sale or transfer of Kashmiri Pandit properties to ensure their protection. The chief minister said they cannot prevent anyone from making propaganda films on the plight of Kashmiri Pandits, as such narratives tend to attract greater attention.
However, he said, there is another side rarely highlighted - that in the absence of Kashmiri Pandits, local Kashmiri Muslims in many areas have safeguarded and preserved their temples.
"All steps will be taken to keep these religious institutions and properties intact," Abdullah said. He said differences within the Hindu and Kashmiri Muslim communities regarding such legislation remain a challenge.
"… If the community unites on a common platform, the government is ready to bring a law; however, taking steps without consensus may lead to further divisions," he said, noting that a similar bill he had introduced in the House while in the opposition was opposed by sections of the Pandit community, who argued it would be unjust and detrimental to their interests.
Satisfied with the chief minister's reply, Raju later withdrew his bill. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today said that the Tourism Department is taking steps to strengthen training, registration and regulatory mechanisms for tourism stakeholders to ensure safety, quality and responsible tourism practices across Jammu and Kashmir.
Chief Minister was replying to a question raised by MLA Zadibal Tanvir Sadiq during the Question Hour of the ongoing Budget Session of the J&K Legislative Assembly. He informed the House that licensing and registration of tourism stakeholders are already regulated under the relevant laws. However, he added that no specific proposal for mandatory rating or certification of all stakeholders is presently under consideration.
Highlighting the importance of service standards, the Chief Minister said that visitor experience, behaviour of service providers and hospitality standards are crucial for the growth and sustainability of a successful tourism economy. He noted that harassment, overcharging or unprofessional conduct can adversely impact the image of a tourist destination.
Responding to a query regarding decline in tourist inflow due to such issues, he said that no such instance has been reported in the Tourism Department where tourist inflow suffered on account of harassment, overcharging or poor behaviour by stakeholders. "However, isolated complaints have been reported and are being addressed as per rules," he added.
The Chief Minister, who also holds the Tourism portfolio, further informed that regular training and capacity-building programmes are being conducted for stakeholders. These cover areas such as hospitality, etiquettes, housekeeping, guiding, front office operations, food & beverage services, homestays, first aid & CPR, rescue operations, responsible tourism and risk management. He reiterated that there is no separate proposal for mandatory certification of all stakeholders at present.
He also stated that a robust grievance redressal and monitoring mechanism is in place through Tourist Reception Centres, tourism helplines, online grievance portals, email channels and Tourist Police. "Complaints are examined and action is taken as per rules. From January 2025 till date, 508 complaints have been received, of which 413 have been disposed of," the Chief Minister said. MLA Gurez Nazir Ahmed Khan raised a supplementary question.

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