Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, Nov 11: The State Government today took over the management of Mata Sukrala Devi and Mata Bala Sundri shrines situated in Billawar tehsil of Kathua district.
The newly constituted Shrine Board has Divisional Commissioner Jammu as Chairman, DC Kathua as Vice chairman and Additional CEO SMVDSB, Director Tourism Jammu and SDM Billawar as Government representatives whereas Pawan Kumar Shastri, Sham Lal Gupta, Zorawar Singh, Narinder Vaid and Neelam Vaid as nominated members of the Board.
On the occasion, Puja followed by Hawan was performed within the premises of temple of Mata Sukrala Devi.
Minister of State for Fisheries, Cooperatives, Finance and Planning, Dr Manohar Lal Sharma also participated in rituals and other ceremonies.
Before the constitution of the present Board the developmental affairs of these shrines were being looked after by a committee appointed by DC Kathua since 1994.
Due to heavy rush of pilgrims and to facilitate the ever increasing rush of the devotees; the Government had passed Sri Mata Sukrala Devi ji & Sri Mata Bala Sundri ji Shrine Board Act 2013 in the month of October 2013 so that development of the shrines and huge rush of the pilgrims could be facilitated in a well coordinated manner.
While speaking on the occasion Dr Sharma said that every endeavour shall be made to run the affairs of the shrines by adopting successful models of administration with modern techniques and infrastructure. He added that the Board is open to suggestions from public for the development of the shrines. He also highlighted the ongoing developmental activities in and around the shrines and said that Rest house and TRC building will be completed by the end of this financial year.
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