Malhotra, Tara Chand honour officers, NGOs

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Aug 11: Samapan Samaroh of Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra, 2012 was held at Ram Mandir, Purani Mandi here today.
Chairman Legislative Council, Amrit Malhotra was the chief guest while Deputy Chief Minister, Tara Chand was the guest of honour. Former Minister Yogesh Sawhney, Mahant Rameshwar Ji Maharaj of Ram Mandir, senior officers from various departments, prominent citizens and large number of devotees were present on the occasion.
While addressing the gathering, Mr. Malhotra appreciated the gesture of management of Ram Mandir for providing adequate infrastructure and other facilities to visiting sadhus and pilgrims from the state as well as from different parts of the country. He hoped that in future better facilities would be provided to the pilgrims and assured that Government will provide full cooperation for success of such religious events.
The Deputy Chief Minister extolled endeavour of the officers of different departments especially PHE, PDD, Police, Municipality etc. in making yatra successful. He said the State is famous for its ancient holy shrines like Shree Vaishno Devi Ji, Shri Amarnath Ji, Shiv Khori, Budha Amarnath etc and people from all across the country and state visit these shrines in large numbers.
Underlining commitment of the Government to increase tourist influx in the State, Mr. Tara Chand said all out efforts have been made to promote tourism potential of the State and the Government has provided adequate infrastructure at different tourist destinations of the State. He said to make Jammu city a tourist hub a number of prestigious projects like artificial lake, ropeway project and historical Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex have been taken in hand and several others are in pipeline.
Former Minister, Yogesh Sawhney also spoke on the occasion and lauded efforts of the administration and other religious organizations for smooth conduct of the yatra and providing improved facilities to the devotees for their comfortable stay in the city of temples.
On the occasion senior officers from CRPF, J&K Police, PHE, PDD, Municipality and representatives of non Government organizations were honoured by the chief guest.