Clarify on Kailash-Mansarovar yatra's fate, Gujarat urges Centre

Gandhinagar, May 21 (UNI) In view of the large number of Gujaratis who take the annual Kailash-Mansarovar yatra, Gujarat Tourism Minister Jaynarayan Vyas has sought to know whether this year's ''yatra'' will be held as per schedule.

Mr Vyas has urged Gujarat Resident Commissioner Prem Gera in New Delhi to find out from Central Government authorities whether the ''yatra'' was on. Mr Vyas has pointed out that the people of Gujarat constitute approximately 30 per cent of total ''yatris'' and, hence, all confusion regarding the ''yatra'' needs to be cleared.

Sources at the Kumaon Mandal Vikas Nigam, the nodal agency which makes all arrangements on the Indian side of the route, have said the ''yatra'' has been called off this year because of the unrest in Tibet. But, there has been no official announcement in this regard.

The ''yatra'' is scheduled to commence from June 1, with around 16 batches of pilgrims. The last batch is scheduled to be back in Delhi by September 2. However, the first two batches have already been cancelled.

UNI HT SR SB DB1957