Minister for Education, Naeem Akhtar today informed the House that the Lidder Valley Golf Course, Pahalgam was maintained by contractor from 2009-10 to ending 11/2015 and the required staff including labourers were engaged/paid by the said contractor for the same period.The Minister was replying on behalf of Minister In-Charge Tourism to a Calling Attention Notice of Dr. Bashir Ahmed Veeri in the Legislative Council. He said that during current Financial year after expiring of the previous contract tenders for new labour contract for current year have been floated by Pahalgam Development Authority vide NIT No. 46 dated March 05, 2016. But in response only single tender has been received which was not approved by the Department.
Naeem Akhthar said that Authority has invited fresh tenders vide NIT No. 01 dated April 25, 2016 through which the first lowest/successful bidder has started the maintenance contract (Labour Part) by engaging the labourers who were previously working there for maintenance of said Golf Course. He said that this all indicates that these labourers have never been paid by Pahalgam Development Authority but always paid by contractor.The Minister said that presently no labourer is on strike and the maintenance work is going on smoothly, however, these labourers are working in said Golf course since long and have gained much experience in maintaining Golf Course Pahalgam.