Board for two shrines

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Mar 20: Realizing the necessity of better management, administration and governance of Shri Mata Sukhrala Devi and Shri Mata Bala Sundri shrines, the State Government is going to establish Shrine Board for these religious places on the pattern of Shri Shiv Khori Shrine Board and introduced a bill in this regard in the Legislative Assembly for enactment of legislation.
Introducing the bill in the House, Minister for Tourism, Ghulam Ahmad Mir said that thousands of pilgrims have been visiting these shrines to pay obeisance on every Tuesday and Sunday and particularly during Navratras with the result the yatra becomes unmanageable as the basic infrastructure has not been developed for providing facilities to the pilgrims.
“In view of the fast growing popularity of these shrines and increase in the number of pilgrims, a need has been felt to constitute a Statutory Authority on the pattern of the Shri Shiv Khori Shrine Board for better management, administration and governance of these shrines”, the Minister said.
It is pertinent to mention here that the historic holy shrine of Shri Mata Bala Sundari is situated on the outskirts of village Dharalla, 18 kilometers from Billawar Town while as shrine of Sukhrala Devi is at a distance of 9 kilometers from Billawar town. Presently, there is a Management Committee headed by the Tehsildar, Billawar to look after the affairs of the shrines.
Divisional Commissioner, Jammu (if he be a Hindu) would be the Chairperson of the Shrine Board. In case he is not a Hindu, the Deputy Commissioner, Kathua (if he is a Hindu) would be head of the Board. In case both of them don’t profess Hindu faith, an eminent person professing Hindu faith will be nominated by the Government as Chairperson of the Board.
Deputy Commissioner, Kathua or Additional Deputy Commissioner Kathua/ Additional District Development Commissioner, Kathua would be Vice-Chairperson of the Board. Additional Chief Executive Officer, Shri Mata Vaishnodevi Shrine Board or his nominee, Director Tourism, Jammu or officer of the Tourism Department not below the rank of Additional Secretary to Government, Sub-Divisional Magistrate, Billawar, two persons, who in the opinion of the Government have distinguished themselves in the service of Hindu religion or culture, one woman, who in the opinion of the Government has distinguished herself in the service of Hindu religion or culture or social work especially in regard to advancement of women and two persons, who have distinguished themselves in administration, legal affairs, financial matters, journalism, press etc to be nominated by the Government, would be the Members of the Shrine Board.
Executive Officer of Shri Mata Sukhrala Devi Shrine and Shri Mata Bala Sundari Shrine would be Member-Secretary of the Shrine Board. Member of the Legislative Assembly representing the area (if he be a Hindu), will be a special invitee at the meetings of the Board with right to vote. The members of the Board other than the official members will hold office for a term of five years from the date of their nomination.
The Board will have the duty to arrange for the proper performance of worship at the shrine, provide facilities for the proper performance of worship by the pilgrims, make arrangements for the safe custody of the funds, valuables, properties and jewelleries and for the preservation of the Shrine Fund, undertake for the benefit of worshippers and pilgrims the construction of buildings for their accommodation, improvement of communication, undertake developmental activities concerning the area for the shrine and its surroundings, make suitable arrangements for imparting of religious instructions and general education and set apart a sum not exceeding Rs 20,000 per month for the maintenance of the Sadhus who visit the shrine etc.
No jewellery or other valuable property of non-perishable nature forming part of the Shrine Fund will be transferred without the previous sanction of the Board, no land or other immovable property held by the Board will be alienated except by a resolution of the Board passed by it by a majority of not less than two-third of the members of the Board. The Board may make grants in favour of any institution for religious or spiritual purposes.
The Board will maintain its office at such place in the district as it may decide. All the rights of the Purohits and other right holders of the Chadawa will stand extinguished from the date of commencement of the Act. Moreover, the Board will annually prepare a report on the administration of the affairs of the shrine and publish it for the information of public.

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