news details |
|
|
| Govt soothes Kashmir, puts country on fire | | Frail dispensation withdraws land transfer order, appeals calm | | Early Times Reporter
Jammu | July 1
Till this afternoon the protests and demonstrations in Jammu and other parts of region were to condemn the decision of Governor NN Vohra on handing over the Shri Amarnath pilgrimage affairs to the government while the controversial land was still believed to be in status quo. However, in what may be described as last nail in the coffin, the state cabinet has today cancelled the order of land allotment required by the erstwhile SASB to create facilities for Amarnath pilgrims. The latest cabinet decision, an in verbatim copy of which was made available to the press, has triggered a sharp reaction warranting the agitating organizations in Jammu to intensify protests and provoking BJP and Vishva Hindu Parishad to call for a nationwide shutdown on July 3.
The state cabinet its meeting held in Srinagar today decided to cancel order number 184 of General Administration Department which had diverted 800 kanals of forest land to Shri Amarnath Shrine Board leading to protest demonstrations in Kashmir Valley. Even though the Governor had already told the state government on June 29 that the Shrine Board was no more in requirement of the land but the separatists and the Peoples Democratic Party had asked for clear withdrawal of the order. Following this decision of cabinet today, the Kashmir Valley was in celebration mode but protests intensified in Jammu region.
According to an official spokesman, the Cabinet took note of the recent correspondence exchanged between HE the Governor, J&K (Chairman, Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board) and Hon'ble Chief Minister, J&K on the issue of diversion of forest land measuring 39.88 ha falling under compartment No: 63a/Sindh, in Block Kullan, Range Sindh, Sindh Forest Division for raising pre-fabricated structures only for camping purposes of pilgrims, without going in for construction of permanent structures, at Baltal and Domail by Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board.
The spokesman added that the Cabinet, in particular, noted the following excerpt forming a part of HE the Governor's D.O. letter dated the 29th June, 2008 addressed to the Chief Minister: "In view of the State Government's firm commitment that the requirements and interests of the Yatris will be fully ensured and protected, the SASB does not need to pursue its earlier request for forest land being diverted for creating the required temporary facilities for the Yatries by the Board."
Therefore, keeping in view of the above, the Government Order No: 184-FST of 2008 dated 26.05.2008 vide which 39.88 ha of forest land was diverted to Shri Amarnath Shrine Board at Baltal and Domail is hereby cancelled.
While quoting the cabinet decision, the spokesman said, “recognizing the capacity and capability of the State Government, reiterated its full commitment to discharge all the responsibilities of undertaking the creation of required infrastructure and providing full logistical support for making available various services with a view to fully ensuring and facilitating the welfare, safety and security of the pilgrims during the entire period of Yatra. For this purpose, land would be made available to the Tourism Department, as per requirement, at various locations from Jammu onwards to the Holy Cave via Baltal-Domail as well as Pahalgam Yatra routes”.
It was emphasized that the State Government is fully committed not to interfere in the religious affairs of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board. The Tourism Department is directed to make adequate provisions in its annual budgets, keeping in view the ever increasing number of Yatris, so that not only are the existing facilities for pilgrims properly maintained but also that these are upgraded further from year to year, said the spokesman while quoting cabinet order. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
