Modi govt first to develop border tourism: Shekhawat

Jaisalmer: Criticising previous govts for not developing tourism in border areas, Union culture and tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat said here Sunday that under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the border village was seen as the first, not the last, creating a paradigm shift the impact of which was now evident.
Shekhawat said that on the Prime Minister's directives to boost tourism in border regions, deliberations are on with the army and BSF and a scheme has been formulated to enable visitors to Tanot to view the border at the Bablianwala post.
Shekhawat emphasised that increased tourism activities and population density in border areas ensure their security, as history demonstrates that borders weaken when people migrate away. He said there are vast opportunities for tourism in border regions of Jaisalmer, Barmer, Bikaner, and Sriganganagar in western Rajasthan
Regarding delimitation in the district, Shekhawat stated it was a continuous process in a democratic system. Due to the growing population, changing dynamics, and increasing urbanisation, such processes are routine, he said, adding that during the previous govt's tenure, there was manipulation of panchayats and municipal wards for political objectives. He emphasised the need for transparent delimitation and aligning it with the Prime Minister's vision of ‘One State-One Election, One Nation-One Election'.
Shekhawat said post-delimitation, new revenue villages and panchayats will be established. He said these are central to the three-tier governing system proposed by Mahatma Gandhi.
Shekhawat also visited Murli Dhar Khatri, an elderly social worker associated with the Seema Jan Kalyan Samiti in Jaisalmer.