news details |
|
|
| Jammu awaits next move, Vohra prays for peace | | | Early Times Reporter
Jammu | July 13
With the people of Jammu keeping their fingers crossed over the next round of agitation beginning Wednesday, the Governor NN Vohra today took first step forward to identify himself with the affairs of Shri Amarnath Yatra.
As entire Jammu keenly awaits his next move to end the agitation, Vohra today not only prayed at Shri Amarnath cave shrine but also took a great leap in measures for upkeep and maintenance of key temples across the state.
Sending a veiled warning to the Governor to clarify situation by Tuesday, the Amarnath Yatra Sangharsh Samiti and all its supporting organization have already declared to intensify the agitation by Wednesday. It is believed that if the issue is not resolved by Tuesday, the agitation is likely to be stronger than the previous one.
The Samiti, its supporting organizations and general people of Jammu are now keenly watching the next move of the Governor. Sources, however, said that in next two days the Governor is likely to take some measures to satisfy the urges of the people of Jammu region while keeping calm in Kashmir as well.
Meanwhile, earlier today the Governor NN Vohra accompanied by his wife and B B Vyas, Principal Secretary to Governor and Chief Executive Officer, Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), visited the Cave Shrine and prayed for peace and tranquility in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Governor visited the Base Camp at Baltal where he held a meeting with all concerned officers, which included the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir, Mr Mehboob Iqbal, Inspector General of Police, Kashmir Range, Mr S M Sahai, and Secretary Tourism, Mr Naeem Akhter, to review the arrangements made for this year's Yatra. He stressed the need for addressing the environmental and eco concerns while creating infrastructural facilities at various camping sites and enroute the Shrine. In this context, he called for the best available technology and planning concepts being applied to ensure ecologically sound amenities for the pilgrims who come from all over India.
Vohra stressed the need for evolving strategies for conducting the Yatra in a manner in which the interests of local stake holders are safeguarded and strengthened. He also emphasized the need for ensuring very close synergy between the SASB and each of the various concerned Government departments, which support the Yatra arrangements.
In his discussions with the officers of both the SASB and the State Government agencies, the Governor observed that a series of meetings were planned to be held between the Shrine Board functionaries and the State Government officers to take stock of the existing and emerging capacities to bring them to the desired level of satisfaction. Towards this end, he said a long-term strategy would be drawn up for continuously reviewing, streamlining and regulating this annual event, keeping in view the experience gained over the years.
The meeting was informed that the Board has set up over 2000 temporary pollution free toilets and accommodation facilities for 1400 pilgrims. The Governor was also briefed about the arrangements made for providing health, drinking water, sanitation, electricity and other required facilities at Baltal.
Mr Vohra visited the Health Centre and enquired about the health of pilgrims admitted in the hospital. He was informed that since the commencement of the Yatra, 65000 patients had been treated at the Health Centre, Baltal besides the large number of pilgrims provided relief enroute and at the Cave Shrine
The Governor went round the tented colony and prefabricated huts and appreciated the endeavours of the Board and the locals in providing high quality arrangements. He called for maintaining high standards of sanitation and hygiene at all the Yatra points, in tune with environmental requirements.
The Governor asked Mr Vyas, CEO, SASB to earmark a corpus fund of Rs one crore so that the future expenditure of the Board on account of paying salaries etc to its officials can be met from out of interest income on such a corpus. He also announced a grant-in-aid, from out of the Shrine Board funds, of Rs 25 lakhs each for upgrading and supplementing the infrastructural development at Shiv Khori and Budha Amarnathji in Jammu Division. Divisional Commissioner, Jammu will be responsible for effective utilization of these grants.
The Governor also announced that in consultation with Divisional Administration in Kashmir, the Board would identify certain temples in Kashmir Division, which would be revived with financial support from the Board. |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
