Srinagar, Mar 30 (KNO): The Jammu and Kashmir government on Monday said that registration and renewal of Houseboat and Shikara licences are being carried out through a fully online and transparent system, while ruling out any proposal to revise the existing fee structure.
Replying to a starred question by MLA Tanvir Sadiq in the Assembly, the government, as reported by the news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), informed that the Tourism Department issues registration certificates under the J&K Tourist Trade Act and renewals are processed online through the official portal as per Government Order No. 58-JK (TSM) of 2021 dated April 28, 2021.
The government said that concerns about procedural delays and inspection backlogs are unfounded, adding that renewals are completed within the stipulated timeframe under the Public Services Guarantee Act.
It further clarified that no revision in license renewal fee or policy conditions has been undertaken to avoid additional financial burden on Houseboat and Shikara operators. Any future changes, it said, will be considered only after due consultation with stakeholders.
As per official data placed in Annexure “A”, a total of 856 houseboats are registered across Nigeen, River and Chinar Bagh areas. However, only one renewal application has been received and approved in the last three years, with the government noting that most houseboat owners have not applied for renewal.
In the case of Taxi Shikaras, 4,607 units are registered across Nigeen, River, Chinar Bagh and Manasbal. Out of these, 2,931 applications for renewal were received in the last three years, of which 2,300 have been renewed. The remaining applications were returned to applicants for completion of formalities as per the prescribed checklist.
The government reiterated that the entire process has been digitised and made transparent through the official portal, ensuring a simplified, time-bound and efficient mechanism for applicants—(KNO)