Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik on Monday directed that the two-month old Home Department’s advisory asking tourists to leave the Valley be lifted from October 10.

“The Governor has directed that the Home Department’s advisory asking tourists to leave the valley be lifted immediately. This will be done with effect from 10.10.2019,” a statement by the Jammu and Kashmir government read.

The development is seen as another major step towards the return of normalcy in the Valley.

The advisory was issued before the Centre introduced the bill to revoke Article 370, that gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

The Jammu and Kashmir government had issued a security advisory in the interest of the Amarnath Yatra pilgrims and tourists asking them to curtail their stay in the Valley and return as soon as possible.

Governor Satya Pal Malik on Monday held a situation-cum-security review meeting with the advisors and the Chief Secretary. The meeting was also attended by the Principal Secretaries of Planning and Housing & Urban Development Department.

The Governor was also briefed about the Block Development Councils (BDC) elections slated for October 24. He was informed that there is active interest in the BDC elections and most of the seats of Chairpersons of BDCs would be filled.

All assistant returning officers and assistant electoral registration officers have been provided mobile phone facility to ensure smooth conduct of elections. Nomination papers were accepted even on Monday.

The Governor was informed that as BDC elections were party based, the delegations of parties whose leaders are in jail are being allowed to meet party presidents once, so that they can take a decision on elections and authorise someone to approve candidates.

Governor Malik was also also briefed about the progress in apple procurement which has crossed 850 tonnes and worth Rs 3.25 crores.

The Governor has been holding situation-cum-security review meetings on a daily basis for two hours generally from 6 to 8 pm each day since August 5.

Initially, the meetings focussed on reviewing the security scenario following the imposition of restrictions after constitutional changes that were made. For the past six weeks, all the security restrictions were removed in most parts of J&K, the Governor has been focussing on bringing life back to normal.

Some of the major decisions taken in the past in the situation- cum-security review meetings include reopening of Higher Secondary Schools; Colleges and Universities; restarting public transport; opening additional travel counters at TRC Srinagar; opening 25 internet kiosks in each district to facilitate the public and Government departments; monitoring attendance in Government offices, etc, a statement from the Governor’s office said.