Excelsior Correspondent
REASI, Sept 20: MLA Reasi Baldev Raj Sharma has expressed concern over the “Low key affairs of Navratra Festival 2014” as stated by Divisional Commissioner Jammu in a press conference held the other day, who is also the Chairman of Navratra Festival Committee.
In a statement issued here today he said keeping low key affairs of Navratra festival this year is a conspiracy of the State Government and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board (SMVDSB) Katra beside to sabotaged the Hindu festival and give a dent to economy of Jammu, which is based on the pilgrimage of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi.
He said stoppage of yatra for number of days to Vaishno Devi earlier was deliberate attempt of Shrine Board.
Moreover, keeping low key affairs of festival will directly hit the Hindu Shrine as the Navratra festival has no such components which hit the sentiments of the sufferers of natural calamity, which the Govt. and Shrine Board has made base of keeping low key affairs of Navratra festival as Navratra festival was being celebrated since 1996 with the aim to promote pilgrim tourism having spiritual and devotional object.
This year SMVDS Board and Govt. made lame excuse just to remain away from this pious festival, which spread the fragrance of spiritualism and religious among the pilgrims visiting Shri Mata Vaishno Devi.
MLA Reasi further expressed concern over the negative attitude towards the Katra town which is the base camp to Holy Shrine Shri Mata Vaishno Devi. As SMVDSB has taken over the command of mule and mazdoor contract from Municipal Committee Katra two years earlier and agreed principally to compensate the Municipal Committee in shape of infrastructure and provision for maintenance of sanitation in the Katra town, nothing has been done so for by SMVDSB resulting inconvenience to the pilgrims during their stay in the town.
MLA Reasi appealed to Governor who is also the chairman SMVDS Board, to provide necessary infrastructure for the maintenance of sanitation of the town which has been principally agreed by the Shrine Board while taking over the mule and mazdoor regulatory system.
MLA Reasi further expressed concern over the non visit by any State Minister/Senior officers from the J&K govt. to Reasi Constituency for assessment of relief and other damages caused during the flash /flood and heavy rain as Reasi has lost maximum lives and property losses.
Meanwhile, MLA Reasi has asked to Deputy Commissioner Reasi to release maximum funds for the overall development and face lifting of the Katra town as the town has badly being affected by the recent flash floods and heavy rains which includes drains, main baazar.
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