Early Times Report
Jammu, July 20: This year’s annual Yatra of Shri Amarnathji has been cancelled due to ‘pandemic’ but employees of different departments are still deployed at various places en-route of the holy pilgrimage.
Not only employees of Health, Fire Services and other departments have been stationed at various spots of the Yatra, even six KAS officers have also been deputed as Camp Directors on various camps en route Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board.
On June 21, formal announcement for the cancellation of this year’s annual Shri Amarnathji Yatra, due to the COVID pandemic, was made. For the second successive year, Yatra has been cancelled due to pandemic.
“In the wake of Covid-19 pandemic, J&K government has decided that Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, annual pilgrimage would be symbolic only, however, all the traditional religious rituals shall be performed at the Holy Cave Shrine as per past practice”, the official spokesman of the J&K government had stated on June 21.
Despite cancellation of the Yatra on June 21, the General Administration Department of Jammu and Kashmir in order no Government Order No:555-GAD of 2021, dated 29.06.2021 deputed six KAS officers camp directors.
“Sanction is hereby accorded to the deputation of the following JKAS officers to Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, on a short term basis, w.e.f 01.07.2021, for being deployed as Camp Directors, Additional Camp Directors at various camps enroute Shri Amarnathji Shrine”, the order reads.
Officers who were appointed as camp directors namely Ranjit Singh, Vir Krishan Dhar, Dhanantar Singh, Atul Kumar, Naresh Kumar and Gurrnukh Sinah
“The Controlling Officers of the above Officers shall relieve the officers enabling them to report to the office of the Chief Executive Officer, Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, on 1” July, 2021 at 10.00 a.m”, the order reads.
“The exact deployment of the required number of officers shall be made by Shri Arnarnathji Shrine Board and the officers kept in reserve shall report back to their respective offices from where they will be deployed if and when required”, the order mentioned.
It was also clearly stated in the order that these officers shall continue to draw their salaries from their respective places of postings during the period of deputation to Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board and shall revert to their respective places of posting, immediately after the conclusion of the Yatra-2021.
Ironically, Yatra has been canceled so what is the need of deputing senior officers as camp directors.
Not only KAS officers have been deputed as camp directors, officials of the Health and Medical Education, Rural Development, Forest and Fire Services are still serving at various spots en route to the Yatra.
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