Government should give up its ''do-nothing policy'': Advani

New Delhi, Aug 14 (UNI) Accusing the Centre of alienating even the nationalist opinion by misreading the sentiments of people of Jammu, senior BJP leader L K Advani today asked Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to honour the mandate of the provisions of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board Act and give up its ''do-nothing policy''.

In a letter addressed to Dr Singh, Mr Advani said the Shrine Board Act was in tune with the provisions of Article 26 and 27 of the Constitution which clearly states that the State should not tax money for religious purposes and the contributions of that particular religious denomination that should be used for running the affairs of religious activities.

Hence it was the duty of the Board to make proper facilities for the pilgrims , who face severe climatic conditions to reach the shrine. It was also the duty of the State to allocate land to the Shrine Board for provision of facilities.

However J and K Governor N N Vohra by revoking the order of land transfer to the board has contradicted the provisions of the Shrine Board Act and he as Chairman of the Board had no powers to alienate the rights of the Board, that too without consulting the Board.

Land given to the Board was as per the directions of the J and K High Court. The decision to cancel the order of land allotment to the Board attempted to contempt of the High court, Mr Advani maintained.

He said he was sorry that so many lives were lost in Jammu and Kashmir and the government should recognise the gravity of the situation and take a 'fair and just' decision speedily rather than adopting ''do-nothing policy''.

UNI MCN ARB KP1920