Governor discusses security arrangements for Amarnath Yatra with Acting DGP

SASB releases addl quota for registration

Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 1 : After reviewing the pace of Yatra registration in various States, the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board has released additional quota for registration through those Bank Branches where the earlier allotted quota has been exhausted. Additional quota for on-line registration through the website of Jammu and Kashmir Bank has also been made available.
These decisions were taken in context of the experience of 2011 Yatra when the allotted numbers had remained unaltered with certain Registration Centres while the demand at other Centres was relatively very high.
These decisions were taken in a meeting held at Raj Bhavan today evening under the chairmanship of Governor N. N. Vohra, who is also Chairman of the Shrine Board to review the up to-date Registration status and all other arrangements being made for Shri Amarnathji Yatra 2012.
Giving further details, the CEO, Navin K. Choudhary disclosed that while more than 2.55 lakh Yatris had registered up to-date for the coming Yatra the quota for registration through on-line service as well as at 47 Bank Branches of J&K Bank had been exhausted. Potential pilgrims can now register themselves at these Bank Branches or on-line. The CEO stated that details of Bank Branches where registration will recommence are being made available on the website of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board.
While addressing a meeting of officers, who are being deployed as Camp Directors for the coming Yatra, the Governor emphasized that it is extremely important for them to personally inspect each and every arrangement being made at each Camp location and along the Yatra routes.
The Governor asked these officers to particularly focus on sanitation in the area, cleanliness of toilets, proper treatment of sewage, effective collection of garbage, smooth water and electricity supply, and to personally monitor the medical care centres several times a day to ensure that oxygen and medicines are being made available to the Yatris, such care as they may require.
During the review meeting, the CEO informed that he had obtained the latest weather predictions for next seven days and there is every likelihood that for the next few days, the entire Yatra area would remain overcast, with intermittent rains. Observing that this is a setback and a matter of serious concern, the Governor directed the CEO to ensure that, as necessary, additional manpower may be deployed to complete all tasks on a war footing.
Among others, the meeting was attended by Preet Pal Singh, Additional Chief Executive Officer, SASB K. G. Bamba, General Manager (Works), SASB, Manager, Holy Cave, B. D. Mengi and the Camp Directors Amit Sharma, Manohar Lal Raina, Ashok Kumar Pandita, Tilak Raj, Rajnish Kumar, Ranjit Singh and Surinder Mohan.
Later, in a separate meeting, the Governor discussed the security arrangements and deployment of Police Officers for the coming Yatra with the Acting DGP, K. Rajendra Kumar.
It was agreed that a list of experienced Police officers, to be deployed for the Yatra, will be finalized in the next 2 days by the Acting DGP and the officers will assume their duties at the Yatra Camp locations next week, after being briefed by the CEO.
The Governor directed the CEO to urgently convene a joint meeting next week of Camp Directors, Police Officers and representatives of all the concerned Departments to ensure timely arrangements and smooth coordination.