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| We will do more than SASB: Azad | | | Early Times Reporter
Jammu | July 3
CM SAYS ON YATRA
Nothing has changed except management
Same land will be used for same purpose
Govt more competent than any Board
Vested interests (PDP) politicked situation
How can fre-fab structure change demography?
People should understand, call off protests
Making an emotional appeal to the people of Jammu region to maintain calm, the Chief Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad today clarified that nothing has changed in the Shri Amarnath yatra affairs including the status of controversial land except that now it is a responsibility of the state government for better management.
The Chief Minister said that the land, around which controversy rocked across the state, is being used by the same purpose (creating facilities for pilgrims) and the only differences was instead of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board now onwards the state government will be taking care of all arrangements. He asserted that all those facilities envisaged by the SASB will be put in place by the state government rather with more efficiency and care to ensure safety, security and comfort of the pilgrims. He called the controversy and protests unwarranted.
The Chief Minister who was away in Mumbai for past couple of days returned here this afternoon and had a meeting with the Chief Secretary, Director General of Police and other top officers of the administration to make an assessment of the situation. Later in the evening he addressed a press conference where he appealed the media persons to look into entirely of the issue instead of blowing statements if ill-informed leaders.
The Chief Minister stated that vested elements hell bent on disturbing the secular fabric of the state are found both in Kashmir and Jammu and they have tried to use the issue of diversion of land to Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) for their nefarious designs. "I appeal to the common masses who are peace loving not to get misled by a handful people who are using religion, caste and regionalism for dividing the people to take political mileage".
Explaining the government's stand on the entire issue, Azad said that the initial cabinet decision to divert the forest land to SASB was taken after protracted correspondence for three years between SASB and Forest department. He said that the ownership rights of the land remained with the Forest department and it was only diverted to SASB for building temporary shelters. He clarified that some mischief mongers tried to project the deal as an attempt to change the demographic profile of the region which is absolutely baseless. "How can pre-fabricated structures for the facility of yatries be used for settling people en-mass to change the demographic profile," he said adding that this is a campaign to arouse people's passions for narrow political gains.
Chief Minister said that the second decision of government was taken after a communication from Shrine Board asking the government if it would undertake the responsibility of making arrangements and providing security and other facilities to the yatries during the entire yatra period and if the Government could provide these facilities, then the shrine board need not pursue its request for diversion of the land.
He said, "all those who wish the welfare of people should welcome the step," adding that government is capable of providing ten times better facilities to the yatries. He informed that the Government is already providing logistical support in the form of health facilities, security etc. He emphasized that under the present dispensation tourism department can develop all the facilities essential for smooth conduct of yatra. However, it would not interfere with religious affairs which would be the exclusive prerogative of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board.
Mr Azad called upon people of Jammu to learn from history as militancy and unrest in Kashmir have brought the economy of the region to a standstill. He said that some forces are trying to create a similar situation in Jammu as unrest here can affect the influx of yatries to Mata Vaishno Devi which is the mainstay of its economy. "Such elements are your enemies not friends," he added. |
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