Governor reviews SASB facilities at Baltal and Domail

Srinagar, Aug 4 (UNI) Jammu and Kashmir Governor N N Vohra today visited Baltal and Domail to take stock of facilities for Amarnath pilgrims.

An official spokesman said Mr Vohra was briefed about the damages caused to the tented accommodation and the temporary shops at the Holy Cave consequent to a sudden cloud burst last week.

The Governor was informed that while considerable damage had been done to shops, tents and langars, no harm was caused to the pilgrims, who were provided food and shelter by the Security Forces deployed in the area.

Accompanied by Justice (Retd) G D Sharma, Member of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) and B B Vyas, Principal Secretary to Governor and Chief Executive Officer (SASB), the Governor visited Baltal Base Camp and later, the Domail area.

Besides reviewing the facilities for the pilgrims available at Baltal, Domail and Rangamorh, the Governor and Justice Sharma had extensive discussions with Abdul Majid Khandey, Deputy Commissioner Ganderbal and the District Forest and Revenue Officers about the area and classification of land which has been used, from June to August every year, for raising of tents and temporary structures for the Yatris.

The Deputy Commissioner informed the Governor that over 5000 ponywallahs were registered with the Labour Department and engaged in the Yatra on the Baltal route.

In addition, a large number of people residing in the nearby areas earned their livelihood by providing varied goods and services to the pilgrims and, as such, owed their sustenance to the annual Yatra.

Mr Vohra complimented the Civil Administration, Army, State Police and the CRPF for providing timely assistance to the pilgrims and the owners of shops and tents who had suffered loss as a result of the cloudburst.

Responding to the demand of shopkeepers and tentwallas regarding grant of compensation, Mr Vohra assured that a compassionate view would be taken, based on the assessed actual damages.

He expressed satisfaction over the adequate availability of rations, medicine and the cooking gas at the Holy Cave.

UNI BAS SY KN2036