Govt, Amarnath Board should focus on facilities, medicare:HSS

Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, July 28: Expressing concern over number of casualties in Amarnath Yatra this year, Hindustan Shiv Sena today requested the Government and the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board to focus on better medical facilities and infrastructure on yatra route to avoid loss of lives.
“We appeal to Govt and SASB to provide better medical and other infrastructural facilities so that such casualties should not happen in future,” HSS president Dimpy Kohli told reporters here today.
Kohli said a sum of Rs five lakh each should be given as compensation to the next of kin of deceased pilgrims.
“We want that Government and Board should concentrate on medical examination of all pilgrims from team of doctors appointed by State Government to ensure that certificates issued by various doctors are genuine and not merely a formality,” he said.
Secondly, medical and other facilities like shelters and heating arrangements should be put in for the yatra pilgrims in the future, he said.
The SASB should make it mandatory for all the yatris to have comprehensive insurance for yatra period, he said, adding “We welcome decision of Supreme Court to constitute a panel to recommend necessary measures for combating the growing number of casualties.”
He said facilities like proper toilets should be provided at base camp Yatri Niwas Bhagwatinagar.