Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Oct 17: N N Vohra, Governor, today thanked the State Administration, local stakeholders, people at large and all those who were associated with the management of Shri Amarnathji yatra 2012 for contributing towards its smooth conduct.
Speaking after giving away insurance claim cheques to those whose ponies/horses were involved in accidental deaths during the Shri Amarnathji yatra this year, at a function held at Raj Bhavan here this afternoon, the Governor observed that the collective efforts of every one had resulted in the smooth conduct of the pilgrimage.
The Governor complimented Aga Syed Ruhulla Mehdi, Minister for Animal and Sheep Husbandry; Rafi Ahmad Mir, MLA Pahalgam, and the Deputy Commissioners of Anantnag and Ganderbal, who were present at the function, their concerned officers and all the stakeholders, for their commitment to ensuring a smooth yatra.
The Governor, who is Chairman of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, said that many new initiatives are being taken by the Board to bring about progressive improvements in the yatra and, in this connection, referred to the scheme launched with the support of the State Government three years ago for compensating the loss suffered by the pony/horse owners on account of the accidental deaths of their animals during the yatra.
He said that this year the compensation amount had been raised from Rs. 25,000 to Rs. 30,000.
Referring to the lower compensation which had been sanctioned by the Insurance Company in certain cases, on technical grounds, the Governor observed that, Navin K. Choudhary, Chief Executive Officer of the Shrine Board, had brought this matter to his notice and it had been decided that, as a special gesture the Board will pay the differential amount to the concerned pony/horse owners. He advised the pony/horse owners to deploy only healthy animals during the yatra, to avoid fatalities and urged the Animal Husbandry Department to enhance the facilities for animal health care on both the yatra routes.
The Governor gave away cheques to 80 pony-wallahs, involving payment of Rs. 24 lakh as compensation for the loss they had suffered due to accidental death of their ponies/horses during Shri Amarnathji yatra this year.
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