Prime minister Narendra Modi on Thursday told political parties' delegations in Srinagar that his visit is a message to the outside world that Kashmir is safe for tourists to return.
"The prime minister underlined that he wanted to give the message that Kashmir is safe for tourists. He said he wanted to tell people outside that it's a very safe place to visit again," said PDP leader Naeem Akhtar while quoting the prime minister from the meeting party held with him.
Tourism has taken a serious hit due to the floods that hit the valley in the first week of September.
Akhtar was among other senior PDP leaders, including Dilawar Mir, Altaf Bukhari, A R Veeri and Haseeb Drabu, who met the PM.
"We asked the prime minister to include Srinagar among smart cities dream he envisions. We demanded shelters for homeless as winters are setting in. We also demanded bank lending in the valley to be declared under Corporate Social Responsibility," said Akhtar.
A delegation of the BJP also met the prime minister and apprised him of relief and rehabilitation process. No other major political party or leader met the prime minister.
{{/usCountry}}A delegation of the BJP also met the prime minister and apprised him of relief and rehabilitation process. No other major political party or leader met the prime minister.
{{/usCountry}}The Congress decided against meeting the PM. "We have decided not to meet him," said Congress leader Ghulam Nabi Monga.