Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Sept 28: Notwithstanding the fact that number of pilgrims visiting Shiv Khori Shrine is increasing every year, the State Government has rendered the Board governing the affairs of this revered place defunct during the past over seven months. Due to this, several developmental activities around the cave shrine remain hostage for want of approval from the Board.
The cave shrine of Shiv Khori is attracting more and more pilgrims every year because it depicts the natural formation of Shiv Lingam. The holy cave is more than 150 meters long and houses four feet high Svayambhu Lingam, which constantly baths in a milky lime fluid dripping from the ceiling. Moreover, the cave is full of natural impression and images of various Hindu deities.
In order to ensure better management of affairs of the shrine, the Government had constituted Shrine Board by way of enacting legislation in 2008. The Board has eight members—three official and five non-official besides Chairman (Divisional Commissioner Jammu). The official members of the Board are Deputy Commissioner or Additional Deputy Commissioner Reasi, Chief Executive Officer of Shri Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine Board and Director Tourism.
Two persons, who in the opinion of the Government have distinguished themselves in the services of Hindu religion and culture; two persons, who have distinguished themselves in the administration, legal affairs and financial matters and a woman, who has played distinguished role on the issues pertaining to womenfolk can be the non-official members of the Board.
The term of five non-official members of the Board who were appointed in the year 2011, came to an end on February 14, 2014 on completion of three years term.
But since then, no seriousness has been shown by the Government to appoint new non-official members despite the fact that in the absence of quorum of five members, the Board cannot take any decision as such the same is lying defunct during the past over seven months, official sources told EXCELSIOR.
The Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Shantmanu had in the month of May this year recommended some names to the Tourism Ministry for nomination as new non-official members of the Shrine Board but the Ministry has not given clearance till date. The indifferent attitude is notwithstanding the fact that functioning of Board is imperative to ensure developmental activities around the shrine, sources informed.
“After going through the panel suggested by the Divisional Commissioner, the Tourism Ministry had raised some queries which were timely answered by the Chairman of the Board but thereafter no response came from the Ministry”, they further said. Had there been any reservation over name(s) in the panel, the Ministry should have at least directed the Divisional Commissioner for furnishing fresh panel instead of sleeping over the same.
Stating that defunct Shrine Board has led to delay in start of several developmental activities around the holy cave area and en route, sources said, “this can be gauged from the fact that for want of approval by the Board, helipad constructed for regular chopper service could not be put to use till date”.
The helipad having space for parking of four choppers and operation of two helicopters at a time has been constructed on a plateau at a distance of 500 meters from the cave shrine of Lord Shiva. But the same can be put to use only when a small bridge is constructed on the approach road.
“For the construction of bridge the Shrine Board is required to give approval as expenditure of Rs 12 lakh is involved in the same but in the absence of quorum, this decision is prolonging”, they said. Moreover, due to defunct Board even finalization of modalities for the start of chopper service by holding proper discussion with the aviation companies could not be finalized till date.
When contacted, Divisional Commissioner, Jammu, Shantmanu confirmed that Tourism Department has not finalized the names of non-official members and said, “Tourism Secretary was changed in the recent past and this might be one of the reasons for the delay”.
He also admitted that Shrine Board’s approval to release of Rs 12 lakh for construction of bridge was also pending. The Divisional Commissioner, who is Chairman of the Shrine Board, however, said that he would write to the Tourism Department in this regard so that process of nominating non-official members and making Shrine Board functional is set into motion without any further delay.
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