The session commenced with recitation of Holy Quran and Naat Sharif with Acting Speaker Syeda Shehla Raza in the chair.
Sindh Minister for Culture and Tourism Syed Sardar Ali Shah during question hour session on Culture and tourism, informed the assembly that Sindh Tourism Development Corporation and Tourism Department owns 24 huts at Keenjhar lake resort.
He said that the rates of huts during 2009 to 2012 were low and the rates have been increased now.
Over the non-availability of facilities at Keenjhar Lake, he said that Keenjhar lake itself is a recreational destination studded with several facilities. So far no complaint has been received in this regard.
Adding that 6 new rooms have been added to already existing 24 huts. A rescue centre with medical officer and an ambulance is providing 24 hours medical and rescue services to the visitors.
He further said that a rescue platform (jetty) is being constructed to provide the visitors service in case of emergency.
A proper reception at various entrances has been constructed and manager office with residence and guard rooms are under construction.
Sardar Shah said that to improve landscape lawns, playground and children park have been developed. Besides, swimming, boating and fishing facilities are also available and a restaurant is also functioning, he added.
Replying to a question regarding the decision of government to construct a modern rest house consisting of 20 rooms at Garhi Khuda Bux, Larkana, he said that the scheme titled Construction of Motel or hotel at Garhi Khuda Bux at an estimated cost of Rs 119,641 million has been started.
An amount of Rs 79.768 million has been utilized up to June 2015. The scheme included in the ADP 2015-16 with an allocation of Rs 10,000 million. The work at the site is in progress.
Answering another question, he said that the work on compound wall of Faiz Palace Khairpur, a scheme, amounting to Rs 20.849 million was approved in the meeting of DDWP. The sponsoring executing agency had approached the property owner concerned to carry out work at the site. But, the owner of the property is not willing to handover the site for execution. Therefore, his department decided to drop the scheme.
The minister, to a question, said that Pakistan Institute of Tourism and Hotel Management (PITHM) is semi-autonomous institute devolved from federal government to provincial government on March 31, 2011. Presently, the institute is working under the administrative control of culture, tourism and antiquities department.
The secretary of Tourism department is not occupying room on the premises of the institute, he clarified.
Ministers concerned on the occasion also replied to call attention notices raised by MPAs.