Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, May 29: State VHP Patron Dr. Ramakant Dubey today appealed the Shrine Board to grant permission to the members of Shri Amarnath Yatri Nyas to take part in the Pratham pooja at Swami Amarnath cave to be held on Jesht Purnima falling on June 2.
Talking to reporters here today he said those who want to participate in the pooja be granted permission to attend the same as traditionally the holy Amarnath yatra starts from Jesht Purnima.
He, while expressing apprehensions about the Amarnath yatra arrangements starting from July 2 demanded that same be expedited.
He said the progress achieved so far in the context is certainly doubtful. Right from day one, discussions, meetings & parlays were started at various levels both by Shrine Board & State Government but there are no tangible results, he added.
He said many sittings have taken place for the conduct of yatra but nothing is visible on ground. Considering the time left for the start of the yatra, it looks uncertain that all arrangements like security, clearance of snow on the route, establishment of other facilities like Langers, toilets, health facilities etc. are nowhere seen up till now, he added.
He said statements’ of the separatist elements is also a matter of concern. Yatris do not come only from within the country but from Abroad as well and all these so called preparations is a discouraging show, he added. Dr Dubey demanded that security forces to be deployed for the smooth conduct of yatra. Dr. Dubey criticized the authorities for not doing much about the required facilities to be provided to yatris as per the Justice Mukhrji & Natishsen Committee recommendations.
Providing wayside shelters, medical facilities, communication & road worthiness were the major issues, he added.
He said road right from Jammu to Pahalgam & Sonamarg is in the worst condition, tracks from Chandanwari to cave & Baltal to cave are under thick layer of snow, which requires sufficient time for clearance and under the prevailing weather conditions it is difficult.
Dr. Dubey demanded extra ordinary steps are not taken for smooth conduct of yatra. Estimation of eight lakh yatris by the Shrine Board is doubtful preposition keeping in view the weather conditions of those days.
Dr. Sham Lal Gupta general secretary, Shakti Dutt Sharma Mahanagar secretary & other members were also present in the press conference.
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