Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, July 24: Governor N.N. Vohra chaired the 33rd meeting of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board at the Raj Bhavan today.
The meeting was attended by Dr. (Prof.) Ved Kumari Ghai, Pt. Bhajan Sopori, Sunita Narain, Dr. Chander Mouli Raina and D.C. Raina, all Members of the Board and Umang Narula, CEO, Jitendra Kumar Singh, Additional CEO and other officers of the Board.
The Board expressed its concern and heartfelt sympathy for the families of the eight pilgrims who were killed during the terrorist attack on their bus near Khanabal and the 17 pilgrims who lost their lives in a tragic road accident near Banihal. The Board appreciated the Chairman’s midnight decision to continue the Yatra without any interruption, after news were received about the terrorist attack. The Board also endorsed the Chairman’s view that the families of those killed and injured in the terrorist attack required to be afforded enhanced ex-gratia relief.
Board also endorsed the Chairman’s decision for the Board to bear all costs for transporting the mortal remains of the Yatris who had died, for whatever reasons, and providing an escort/ attendant and a police personnel to ensure that the coffin of the deceased was delivered to his family, in his home town. In this context CEO informed that the Board had spent Rs. 17,92,479 on account of transportation costs and Rs. 1,49,71,000 towards payment of ex-gratia relief.
CEO informed that four additional branches of Punjab National Bank were added for registering Yatris for the yatra, which are located at: Baddi, H.P Vyara, District Taapi, Gujarat; Gadag, Karnataka; and Club Chouhan, Malerkotla, Punjab and one additional branch of J&K Bank had been added at Main Market, Leh to cover the erstwhile uncovered areas for Yatra.
Board was apprised about the various steps taken for improving and enhancing the facilities for promoting the convenience of the pilgrims and these included upgradation of the tracks and the road from Neelgrath to Baltal Base Camp; extension of Yatri shelters at Domel, Nunwan, Neelgrath and Panjtarni; erecting railings at all vulnerable places along the two tracks, development of resting places along the track; installation 2540 toilets and 499 baths and 100 bottle catchers in the Yatra area etc.
The Board was apprised that the planned laying of Optical Fibre Cable (OFC) along both the Yatra routes will further strengthen the telecommunication facilities during the future Yatras.
CEO apprised the Board Members that Group Insurance for all Service Providers and Yatris has been enhanced to Rs. 3.00 lakh from the existing Rs. 1.00 lakh.
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