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River rafting companies resent move

Staff Correspondent

Shift of business from rent regime to private-public partnership plan

DEHRA DUN: The Uttaranchal Government's move to shift the river rafting business from a rent-based regime to a Private-Public Partnership (PPP) programme has evoked much resentment in the rafting companies.

Harish, owner of one of the rafting companies, said here that the Government was trying to ease them out of the trade to pave the way for big business houses interested in developing rafting as international tourists cum sport attraction along the Ganga near Rishikesh.

"We have pioneered introduction of the rafting culture by establishing eco-friendly camps and a good rapport with the clients. Many locals have also started flourishing but the PPP which seems to be `Pressure, Politics and Prejudice' for us, will, if implemented, starve the entrepreneurs in no time", said Mahender Jakhmola, a tour operator in Rishikesh.

Interestingly, the officials are not clear on the norms of the PPP.

The new regime is expected to promote the trade with the businessmen giving part of their earnings for the State's development, they say. The Forest Minister, Nav Prabhat, however describes the reaction of the rafting company owners as sheer panic as the Government wanted to open up the trade for small local entrepreneurs who might give a tough competition to the monopolists.

"Rafting in the Ganga around Rishikesh is a thrilling experience for all and we have to develop it as a major attraction for all sections of society and not just keep it as an expensive pleasure reserved for the rich," he said.

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River rafting companies resent move

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