Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Sept 28: Minister of PHE, Irrigation & Flood Control Ch Sukhnandan Kumar today said that Government will develop the Utterbeni, Purmandal and Devika Shrines so that the religious gatherings on pattern of Maha Kumb are organized there also and pilgrimage tourism to these shrines gets a boost.
He said the Devika river in Udhampur is called the younger sister of holy Ganga and the condition of this river is very bad as over the years the Government failed to provide attention to its development.
Addressing party men in Marh area today he said that during his recent participation in Maha Kumb at Nasik Maharashtra he saw how the governments have promoted the religious pilgrimage to generate the employment there but unfortunately J&K is lagging.
He said Union Minister of State in PMO, Dr Jitendra Singh has already taken up the issue of cleaning Devika with Environmental Ministry and State Government will also make all out efforts for its development. Besides, Devika attention will be paid for the development of Utterbeni and Purmandal shrines also which have a lot of religious significance. The Minister said that he will also seek the help and cooperation of respective MLAs in this regard.
The Minster later distributed pension cheques among widows and handicapped persons in village Ghoumanhasan in Marh Constituency.
He appealed the people to take advantage of these schemes. Rajinder Singh Chib Sarpanch, Raghuvir Singh Sarpanch, Dharam Pal, Bodh Raj and others were present on the occasion.