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| Controversy hots up over Amarnath Yatra route | | Govt chips in, says it is a 'rumour', SC issued no directions 'Govt sensitive to environment issues, will take care of facilities' | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Aug 19: As the outcry over conversion of Amarnath Yatra track into permanent route is getting louder in Kashmir , sensing trouble the NC led coalition Government chipped in only to say the reports were based on 'rumours' and that Supreme Court had not issued any such directions nor had the State Government any plans for construction of road or major infrastructure on the Amarnath Yatra route.
On expected lines the ruling party National Conference today responded to the 'concern' raised in Kashmir with assertive and reassuring statement the tenor of which is loaded with contents to dismiss the fears and apprehensions that construction of a permanent road was in offing for Amarnath Yatris. The senior NC Minister who is politically experienced and at the same time has knowledge about legal matters , however, explained and clarified what he said, that a high level committee would look into the matter give its report on a host of issues.
"The Supreme court has not issued any directions for construction of road or any major project on the yatra route or at the cave site", said Finance Minister Abdul Rahim Rather in a hurriedly called press conference at Srinagar.
He said the Supreme Court has appointed a high power committee to look into the reasons for deaths of pilgrims, which will submit its report on 10th of September. The committee will also look into impact of the yatra on the environment of the area, he said, in order to allay the fears and dismiss the apprehensions expressed from various quarters.
Alarmed and unnerved by the outcry, the Finance Minister said in a reassuring tone that there were no plans of construction of hospitals or roads. What could be seen as a bid of the NC to arrest the growing unrest and concern from Hurriyat Conference, the Finance Minister even stated that the number of yatris to the cave shrine needs to be limited,
"The number of yatris that visits the shrine is too high and the deaths occurring were natural", he said, adding the State Government is doing everything to facilitate the yatris. He said the matter is sub-judice and the high power committee will submit its report soon to the Supreme Court.
However, in order to balance the issue, the Finance Minister, did make mention of the word facilities and said Government would take care of this aspect. He did not however elaborate as to what facilities and in what manner the Government intends to build the infrastructure for facilities. At the same time the Finance Minister reiterated that Government is fully alive and aware about the environmental issues and would not allow any imbalance or damage to any aspect related with environment.
"If they feel there is room for improvement, all steps will be taken to address them and sort out any lacunae if pointed out", he said reiterating that concerns with regard to environment will be taken care of. What came as most reassuring thing in the press conference was the appeal from Finance Minister to people that they should not 'give ear to rumours'.
Minister for Health and Family Welfare, who also addressed the press conference, said the Government has taken every step for proper medicare facilities for the yatris. Dismissing concerns regarding deaths of pilgrims, the Minister said only 86 deaths of yatris had occurred this year against 107 during last year's yatra. He said the Supreme Court has taken notice of reports of certain national papers in view of their alarmist reporting.
"There is no question of Government fault and deaths are a natural phenomenon in a high altitude area", he said. "We have taken all measures and done health check up of 3 lakh pilgrims out of a total of six lakh", he added. |
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