Prohit Sabha Martand discusses arrangements for Amarnath yatra

Prohit Sabha Martand Tirath Improvement Charitable Trust in its meeting here today discussed various issues regarding this year’s holy Amarnath yatra starting next month.

The meeting while discussing the arrangements for holding of free langer by the Trust at Mattan shrine in Anantnag district of South Kashmir expressed its concern over the deduction of toll from the vehicles belonging to yatris. It alleged the road towards Martand is also in bad condition.

Mr Yogi in an appeal to Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag has urged him to arrange the basic facilities for yatris by opening medical assistance camp at Mattan, providing LPG, fire wood and K Oil to the Trust.

Moreover the CAPD be asked to provide quality rice, flour and sugar on subsidized rates out of the quota already sanctioned by the Government.

He made an appeal to Tourism Department to provide tents, blankets, and mattress for the yatra to the Trust.

Mr Yogi demanded that no toll be charged from yatri vehicles and he assured full support to Shrine Board and Government on behalf of Trust in smooth running of the holy yatra.

Veer Ji Pandita general secretary of the Trust urged the Executive members  to work round the clock for betterment of the yatra. The meeting was attended by all Working Body members of the Trust.

22000 perform darshan in Amarnath

Braving quick winds, drizzling and slippery tracks, 22,521 pilgrims drawn from completely different elements of country performed darshan in holy cave of Lord Shiva in South Kashmir district of Anantnag these days.

This was stated by officers camping at Baltal and holy cave.

With this, the entire variety of pilgrims performing darshan at cave shrine in last eighteen days since the yatra started on June twenty five has touched four,21,437. Over 3.98 lakh pilgrims had performed darshan in holy cave situated at a height of three,888 meters until late last night.

The officers said four additional Amarnath pilgrims have died these days taking the death toll throughout the continuing pilgrimage to seventy one.

They said Nirmala Tripathi, wife of Vidyadhar of UP died at holy cave this morning thanks to cardiac arrest. Another yatri identified as Shovna wife of Srikant Mahadev Acharya of Raigarh Maharashtra died at Panjtarni these days thanks to heart attack.

Prem Dulari wife of Mukand Lal Yadav of UP died at Baltal thanks to heart attack, they said, adding one unidentified body of a Sadhu was found at Sheshnag these days and he was shifted to Pahalgam for identification.

The officers said the weather remained cloudy for entire day and it absolutely was drizzling for a few time throughout the day and later within the evening. The tracks remained slippery for the complete day. but the yatra proceeded smoothly, they added.

The officers said a contemporary batch of 4600 pilgrims left Nunwan –Pahalgam base camp for holy cave via ancient Chandanwari track early this morning whereas 9070 left from Baltal via shortest sixteen kilometre track.

The yatris who left via Baltal track once performing darshan in cave shrine started their come journey whereas those from Chandanwari track once an evening haltage at Sheshnag and Panchtarni can perform darshan at holy cave tomorrow or the day once tomorrow.

The yatris camping on varied camps enroute to holy cave conjointly started their onwards sojourn this morning the officers said adding over three.90 lakh pilgrims have came thus far.

Meanwhile, amid tight security, a contemporary batch of three,434 pilgrims these days left for the Amarnath cave shrine. The pilgrims comprising a pair of,251 men, 840 women, ninety one kids and 252 ‘Sadhus’ left during a cavalcade of 104 vehicles from Bhagwati Nagar base camp in Jammu at around 0500 hours for Amarnath.

With today’s batch, as several as sixty four,477 pilgrims have left Jammu for his or her onward journey to the cave shrine.

Meanwhile, all the 4.40 lakh registered pilgrims are coated underneath cluster Insurance by the Shrine Board with the New India Assurance Company. Besides 20,000 laborers and thirteen,000 horses conjointly get the danger cowl.

This was stated by Dr Daleep Pandita, Divisional Manager of the corporate. He said during this regard a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) has already been signed by the corporate with SASB for Rs one lakh insurance cowl to four.40 lakh registered yatris.

The theme can cowl their death thanks to every kind of accidents, be it a snake bite, drowning, electrical shock, slip/ fall from hill or mountain or unhealthy climatic conditions besides in case of death in road accident in J&K throughout yatra , he added.

Dr Pandita said SASB has already paid premium quantity to the corporate for his or her varied insurance covers covering yatris, laborers, animals, sheds, equipments, vehicles etc. the danger cowl starts as soon as pilgrim enters the state at Lakhanpur and last until he exits from the State.

Besides the insurance cowl of Rs one lakh, the yatri can get charges of Rs a pair of,000 for carrying dead body and education grant of Rs 5000 per dependent kid of the insured deceased underneath the theme, he added.

Amarnath Yatra Near one.5 lak1 lakh 50 thousand

Even when seven days of annual pilgrimage of Baba Amarnath ji in South Kashmir Himalayas, there had been no quiet in significant rush of yatris at the holy cave shrine. Today, 20,549 yatris performed darshan of holy Ice Lingam of Lord Shiva within the shrine taking total range of pilgrims having paid obeisance throughout last seven days of yatra to one.43 lakh. Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) Director, Amarnath Shrine, BD Mengi said twenty,549 pilgrims these days paid obeisance before holy Ice Lingam of Lord Shiva in Shri Amarnath ji cave shrine. With this, total range of yatris having performed darshan of Lord Shiva’s Ice Lingam throughout seven days of yatra has gone up to one,42,976. over nineteen,000 pilgrims these days left shortest Baltal and ancient Nunwan Pahalgam base camps for holy Amarnath cave shrine, situated at thirteen,500 feet in South Kashmir Himalayas.

Official reports said ten,410 yatris, together with men, women, youngsters and Sadhus, left Pahalgam early this morning for Chandanwari, the last motorable halting station on the normal route. However, a number of them, who were already camping at Chandanwari, joined them to proceed towards next halting station.

Similarly, yatris at completely different halt points enroute additionally started their onward journey this morning, whereas those that had darshan started their come back journey.

They added that eight,663 pilgrims left Baltal for the holy cave.

The authorities had created all arrangements for swish yatra on each tracks and base camps, they said.

A Met department spokesman said the sky would stay cloudy and there would be one or 2 spells of rains on each the tracks these days whereas there'll be no giant amendment in weather throughout next twenty four hours.

From Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas base camp in Jammu, eighth batch of four,268 pilgrims these days left for the holy shrine beneath tight security arrangements.

Amid chantings of ‘Bam Bam Bhole’, the contemporary batch of devotees left from Yatri Niwas base camp at five am.

The batch comprising 3009 males, 821 females, one hundred forty five youngsters and 293 Sadhus left in a very convoy of 156 vehicles together with forty three SRTC buses, thirty personal and eighty three light-weight cars.

With today’s batch, as several as twenty three,677 pilgrims have left Jammu in eight officers batches for his or her onward journey to the cave shrine.

Meanwhile, 5 a lot of devotees died thanks to cardiac arrest at Pahalgam and Baltal base camps raising the death toll within the ongoing annual Amarnath pilgrimage to nineteen.

Megha Gupta, aged twenty four years, a resident of Chandigarh, suffered a vast heart attack at Pahalgam last night whereas on her thanks to Amarnath cave shrine, police said.

64-year-old Jagbir Singh from Haryana and Rinku (55) from Tamil Nadu died at Sonamarg on shorter Baltal route, they said.

Hailing from Madhya Pradesh, 83-year-old Babu Singh died at Baltal base camp when paying obeisance, while, an unidentified man was found dead at Domail, police said.

With this, the death toll since the commencement of the annual pilgrimage to the Amarnath shrine in south Kashmir Himalayas rose to nineteen, they said.

Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) has been forced to open six on-the-spot registration counters as an outsized range of unregistered pilgrims had turned up at varied base camps of the annual yatra within the guise of tourists.

According to sources, SASB opened on-the-spot registration counters when an outsized range of unregistered pilgrims found Pahalgam and Baltal base camps on commencement of the pilgrimage to the 3880-metre high cave shrine.

"Hundreds of unregistered yatris managed to sneak through the protection barricades got wind of by police and CRPF en route the cave shrine. Stopping such a large range of individuals would have led to law and order problem", sources added.

While four counters are opened in Kashmir at Nunwan, Chandanwari, Baltal and Tourist Reception Centre Srinagar, 2 counters are opened in Jammu, they said.

Board’s CEO Naveen K Chaudhury admitted that on-the-spot registration counters are opened, however said there was absolute confidence of permitting unregistered pilgrims for the yatra.

"There were some issues on the primary day of the pilgrimage however not one unregistered yatri has been allowed to proceed towards the holy cave when that", Chaudhury said.

The CEO said the registration for the pilgrimage was still open and to this point over four lakh persons have registered themselves for the yatra.

Chaudhury appealed to the yatris to not embark on the pilgrimage while not securing a legitimate registration as this might cause inconvenience not solely to themselves however additionally to the opposite yatris.

Asked regarding the high range of deaths within the ongoing pilgrimage, he said the pilgrims aren't coming back ready for the arduous journey even if the SASB had disbursed a vast awareness campaign regarding the ‘dos’ and ‘don’ts’.

"The deaths have taken place even when deploying numerous doctors, paramedics and life saving equipment. The pilgrims don't escort previous acclimatization for this journey", he said.

He asked the devotees to right away contact the closest medical camps in case of any health issue to get timely medical attention.

21024 pilgrims perform darshan on Day six

As several as twenty one,024 pilgrims performed darshan at holy cave shrine of Amarnath ji in South Kashmir Himalayas these days taking total range of darshan throughout current year’s annual pilgrimage that started on June twenty five to one.22 lakh.

Meanwhile, 2 a lot of pilgrims together with a girl died enroute 3880 meters high cave shrine taking death toll throughout last six days to fourteen.

Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) Director, Amarnath shrine, B D Mengi said twenty one,024 pilgrims these days paid obeisance before holy Ice Lingam of Lord Shiva in Shri Amarnath ji cave shrine. With this, total range of yatris having performed darshan of Lord Shiva’s Ice Lingam throughout six days of yatra has gone up to one,22,427.

According to a politician spokesman, the push of pilgrims is increasing day by day as thousands of yatris these days reported at base camps of Baltal and Nunwan (Pahalgam) for his or her onward pilgrimage to the holy cave.

He said weather was pleasant these days at Pahalgam and on each the tracks.

Meanwhile, a hearth broke out in a very personal tent outside the cave shrine of Amarnath ji, police said.

The blaze occurred thanks to leakage of gas within the tent outside the cave shrine last night.

The fire was doused inside minutes, they said, adding, the tent had minor damages.

More than seventeen,000 yatris left for Amarnath cave shrine this morning from Baltal and ancient Nunwan Pahalgam base camps.

According to yatra officers at Pahalgam and Baltal base camps, the pilgrimage was progressing smoothly.

They said ten,250 yatris, together with girls, youngsters and Sadhus, left Nunwan, Pahalgam for Chandanwari, the last motorable halting station on the normal route.

Yatris at completely different halting stations en route additionally started their onward journey this morning whereas those that had darshan started their come back journey.

They said seven,142 pilgrims additionally left Baltal for the holy cave.

The authorities have created all arrangements for swish yatra on each tracks and base camps, they said.

A Met Department spokesman said the sky would stay cloudy and with one or 2 spells of rains on each the tracks these days. there'll be no giant amendment throughout future twenty four hours.

A contemporary batch of three,348 pilgrims these days left for the holy Amarnath cave shrine from Bhagwati Nagar Yatri Niwas here beneath tight security arrangements this morning.

The batch comprising 2199 males, 922 females, seventeen youngsters and 148 Sadhus left the bottom camp at five am for Amarnath give way a convoy of 127 vehicles, together with forty SRTC buses, twenty eight personal and fifty nine light-weight cars.

Meanwhile, 2 a lot of pilgrims, together with a girl, died en route Amarnath cave shrine.

Forty-year-old Rekha, a resident of Gujarat, died of cardiac arrest at the shrine last night, officers said.

Hailing from Haryana, Jagbir Singh, aged 64, died of a vast heart attack at Panjtarni on ancient Pahalgam route yesterday, they said.

With this, the death toll since the commencement of the annual pilgrimage rose to fourteen, the officers said.

Uma Bharati to steer VHP sponsored Amaranth yatra from June three

Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader Uma Bharati can lead Vishwa Hindu Parishad (VHP) -sponsored parallel Amarnath pilgrimage on June three from Jammu and she or he would be joined by an outsized range of Sadhus drawn from completely different elements of the country.

"Uma Bharati can reach Jammu on June two and next morning once performing prayers, she is going to lead thousands of yatris continuing for Amarnath shrine," Surinder Jain, VHP international spokesperson told reporters here this morning.

Dr Jain said Uma Bharati are among Mahant Rameshwar Dass and Ram Swaroop Dass besides an outsized range of Sadhus throughout the yatra.

"Thousands of Sadhus, Mahants and activists of VHP can assemble at Jammu base camp to proceed for Baltal on June three," he said and added that the yatra can leave for Baltal on June three at any price to perform darshan next day on Jesht Purnima.

"The State Government ought to cooperate for swish conduct of yatra," he said, adding supporters from Kathua, Ramban, Samba, Udhampur and Sunderbani leading their processions also will reach Jammu on a similar day.

"After performing prayers, the batch can leave for Baltal and therefore the initial darshan are performed at Amarnath cave on June four," he added.

Rejecting the Government’s official date of yatra, VHP leader said that the yatra can begin from June four and not on June twenty five as stated by Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB).

He said thousand s of Bajrangis can reach here on June two to require half within the yatra next day.

He said in case any try was created to prevent the yatra on June four the yatris can begin protest then and there. Warning the govt. ‘s move to use force against pilgrims he said the yatris can begin a Jail Baro Andolan in such how that the authorities can fail in need of jails to accommodate the protesters, he added.

He said besides Jammu yatra will also be started from Kashmir Valley on June three within which Kashmiri Hindus and Sikhs will participate.

100 Post Offices start registration of pilgrims

Till yesterday, 1,37,096 Yatris had registered themselves for this year's Amarnath Yatra, of whom 70,158 have most well-liked the standard Pahalgam route, while 66,911 have opted for the Baltal route. This was informed by Navin K. Choudhary, Chief govt Officer, Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) here these days.

While the registration for the Yatra through net based mostly on-line facility and thru the designated Bank Branches had commenced from might seven, the registration through the designated a hundred Post Offices began these days.

The Chief govt Officer revealed that Union Ministry of Communication and data Technology had agreed to intending Yatris registering the date and route of their pilgrimage from registration counters in a hundred selected Post Offices located in seven States - Bihar, Haryana, Punjab, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Rajasthan.

The Post Offices that are providing registration facilities are located in districts Akbar Pur, Faizabad, Rosebery, Sultanpur, Bulandshar, Khurja, Mainpuri, Ghazipur, Pratapgarh, Amroha, Bijnor, Rampur, Azamgarh, Barirumpur, Gonda, Banda, Fatehpur, Mirzapur, Lal Ganj, Sitapur, Dhampur, Hardoi, Khori, Hapur, Gorahkpur in Uttar Pradesh; Betul, Chattapur, Damoh, Mandla, Sagar, Sidhi, Vidisha, Ratlam, Shajapur, Dhar, Bhind, Mandsour, Katni, Dewas, Neemuch, Morena, Ujjain in Madhya Pradesh; Dadar, Osmanabad, Sholapur, Latur, Parbhani, Satara, Nanded, Yavatmal, Dhule, Ratnagiri, Chandrapuram, Sangli, Akola, Buldhana, Amravati, Wardha in Maharashtra; Aurangabad, Gaya, Buxar, Siwan, Katihar, Jehanabad, Banka, Gopal Ganj, Darbhanga, Muzaffarpur, Saharsa, Chapra, Samastipur, Ara and Sitamarhi in Bihar; Kheda, Mahesana, Godhra, Patan, Amroli, Junagarh, Jamnagar, Porbandar, Surindranagar, Bharuch, Valsad, Navsari, Gandhinagar, Nadiad, Dohad in Gujarat; Sangrur, Kapurthala, Tarn Taran, Faridkot, Gurdaspur, Patiala, Ropar in Punjab; and Sonipat, Bhiwani, Jind, Sirsa and Narnoul in Haryana.

The list of Bank Branches are already obtainable on the web site of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board. the main points of the Post Offices also can be seen on the Board's web site.

Last year, the registration facility for the annual Yatra was obtainable through designated 149 Bank Branches and also the J&K Bank's net based mostly registration facility. This year, the registration facility for the Yatra is out there through any of the 274 Registration Counters - 121 J&K Bank Branches, forty nine YES Bank Branches, four Bihar Central Co-operative Bank Branches, a hundred Post Offices, and thru the On-line facility on J&K Bank's web site, jkbank.net.

The Board has been able to substantially expand the registration facility to variety of hitherto uncovered cities and cities. Consequently an oversized variety of the intending Yatris won't ought to travel long distances to register for the pilgrimage, Mr Choudhary said.

The designated thirteen J&K Bank Branches for registering Yatris are located at Dalgate, Batamaloo, and Karan Nagar in Srinagar, Tourist Reception Centre, Bakshi Nagar and Gandhi Nagar in Jammu, Ramban, Doda, Kathua, Rajouri, Udhampur and Poonch, the CEO said.

For getting their Yatra allow, the Yatris can ought to submit the prescribed Compulsory Health Certificate issued by a Registered Medical Practitioner, at the side of the filled-in Application kind. The format of the appliance kind and Compulsory Health Certificate are often downloaded from Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board's web site.

The Yatris securing e-Yatra allow via net based mostly registration facility obtainable at the J&K Bank's web site can ought to submit his Compulsory Health Certificate at Base Camps, Baltal or Pahalgam, and obtain his e-Yatra allow stamped by Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board officers before being allowed to proceed beyond Chandanwari and Baltal, the CEO informed.

He said that the Yatri who secures a price ticket to travel by helicopter isn't needed to separately register and acquire a Yatra allow for enterprise the Yatra. However, Yatris who travel by helicopters ought to submit their Compulsory Health Certificate before being allowed to board the helicopters. Chief govt Officer suggested that, to avoid any inconvenience, all Yatris ought to secure their Yatra allow earlier and build their travel arrangements accordingly to embark on the pilgrimage on the day and from the route that they need been registered.

Amarnath yatris to get SIM cards

This year pilgrims undertaking the annual yatra to Amarnath shrine can procure a short-term ‘yatra card’, a pre-paid SIM which will have a validity of seven days.

The Union Home Ministry has given in-principle approval for having such a facility, the first time since mobile operations started in the country, in view of problems faced by pilgrims who do not have mobile connectivity, official sources said.

At a recent meeting, it was reasoned out that many people undertaking the pilgrimage possessed pre-paid mobile connection, which according to the security regulations enforced in Jammu and Kashmir will not work in the state.

It was agreed that pilgrims arriving at Jammu, Pahalgham in south Kashmir or Baltal in northeast of Kashmir from June 25 can avail the option of pre-paid SIM cards, the sources said.

They said a SIM card given to a pilgrim will be working for seven days after being issued and there will be no provision of recharge after that.

This service will be provided by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited only and major private telecom players like Airtel, Vodafone, Reliance, Aircel and Idea have been asked to provide an inter-connectivity for this purpose, the sources said, adding an agreement would be arrived shortly between BSNL and private operators.

Pilgrims opting for a pre-paid SIM will have to provide their Unique Identification number or attested copies of their residence proof, the sources said.

115 organizations 274 centers for Amarnath Yatra registration

Shri Amarnath Barfani Langars Organizations (SABLO) held a gathering and distributed a hundred and fifteen Permission letters by Shrine Board to the members of the organizations for fitting langars throughout the forthcoming Shri Amarnath Yatra.

On the occasion, Navin Kumar Choudhary, Chief government Officer (CEO), Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), was the chief guest, who distributed the permission letters to the langar organizations, in presence of Rajan Gupta, general secretary, Vijay Thakur, president, SABLO, Subhash Kansal, president, Om Parkash Gupta, general secretary of Shri Hanuman Sewa Sangh, Delhi, Pawan Saboo and Anand Parkash Gupta, were additionally gift.

At the outset, Rajan Gupta, general secretary, presented the welcome address and highlighted the activities of the SABLO.

Navin Kumar Choudhary, in his address informed the members that the method of registration of yatris for this year can start on might seven through 121 designated branches of J&K bank, forty nine branches of YES bank and four district cooperative banks.

He additionally informed members that recently an agreement has been reached with Posts and Telegraphs and registration of yatris are done at one hundred post offices raising the whole variety from 149 last year to 274 registration centers this year.

He additionally informed that helicopter rates are reduced by forty per cent this year and efforts are on to supply 500-700 additional medical workers together with specialist doctors to supply timely medical aid to the sick pilgrims to avoid casualties.

Vijay Thakur, president, SABLO, urged the CEO to carry joint meeting of the officers deputed to manage the yatra and therefore the camps heads of langar organizations for higher co-ordination between the officers and volunteers of NGOs for the graceful conduct of the yatra. The CEO assured that the meeting are organized before the beginning of the yatra.

Dinesh Garg of Shiv Bhakti Sewa Trust and Anand Parkash Gupta additionally addressed the gathering.

At the end, Vijay Thakur, presented vote of thanks.

Amarnath Yatra reaches 5.72 lakh

SAYSS holds meet

To take stock of the case with regard to the non-implementation of an agreement reached out between the Samiti and also the Government approach back within the year 2008, a gathering of the chief body of Shri Amarnath Yatra Sangrash Samiti (SAYSS) was convened at Geeta Bhawan underneath the chairmanship of Brigadier Suchet Singh, convener of the Samiti.

During the meeting, the implementation of the agreement was mentioned threadbare and also the members expressed their anguish over the apathetic angle of the govt.. it had been unanimously resolved to require immediate steps to handle the problems already agreed within the agreement.

Meanwhile, Brigadier Suchet Singh expressed his want to alleviate him from the responsibility of convener, that the body members unanimously accepted and in his place Pawan Kumar was entrusted to require over the charge of the convener.

Those who attended the meeting were Romesh Sabharwal, Prof Narender Singh, Dev Raj Baru, Jagdish Dogra and lots of others.

Togadia warns against curtailment of Amarnath Yatra

Amarnath Yatra Politics

Shri Amarnath Yatra Weather forecasting facilities to be upgraded

To ensure higher forecasting of weather scenario for the sleek conduct of Shri Amarnathji Yatra 2012, many initiatives are being taken.

This was disclosed in a very meeting at Raj Bhavan, Srinagar held underneath the Chairmanship of Navin K. Choudhary, Principal Secretary to the Governor and Chief government Officer, Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB). Among others, Sonam Lotus, Head of the Meteorological Department participated within the meeting.

It was disclosed that the Meteorological Department is within the method of creating 3 Advanced Warning Systems (AWS) every at the bottom Camps at Baltal and Pahalgam in addition as at the Holy Cave. this can offer higher and a lot of correct prediction of probably weather on a given date. The Meteorological Department has additionally set to put in weather show board at the Nunwan Base Camp in addition as at Baltal Base Camp for the good thing about Yatris. 

It was additionally set that the Meteorological Department can offer instant warning relating to any weather connected disturbances to any or all authorities involved through SMS Service.

Mr. Sonam Lotus informed that the Department is within the method of creating Doppler Radar at Srinagar that the procurement method is at a complicated stage. Once established, this can offer an enormous facility for a lot of correct weather prediction within the Kashmir Valley. this can profit not solely the Yatra however to the overall plenty in Kashmir Valley throughout the year.

Preparations for Shri Amarnath Yatra 2011

Amarnath Yatra By Helicopter

100 Post Offices for Amarnath Yatra

CEO SASB concludes intensive tour of Amarnath yatra base campsChief government Officer (CEO) of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), Navin K Choudhary nowadays concluded his four days intensive tour of base camps throughout that he inspected the snow state of affairs and facilities for the upcoming Shri Amarnathji Yatra.Accompanied by Showkat Mir, Deputy Commissioner, Ganderbal, Shahid, SP Ganderbal, Mohammad Yousuf, CEO Sonamarg Development Authority, K G Bamba, GM, Works SASB and different senior functionaries of the district administration, the CEO took stock of snow accumulation and condition of the infrastructure at the bottom camps of Baltal and Domail. It was informed that PWD has been able to open the road up to the bottom camp of Baltal solely 2 days back with nice issue as at some places, the snow is quite twenty to twenty five feet. thanks to significant snowfall this year, the Police Camp at Baltal has been fully drained and there's huge injury to different pre-fabricated structures. The CEO conjointly inspected the helipad where the present structures are nearly destroyed thanks to huge snow avalanches. in an exceedingly meeting with officers of involved departments at the bottom camp, he underscored the requirement for exertions and additional efforts for re-establishing these infrastructures.While conducting intensive tour to Nunwan, Pahalgam and Chandanwari, it had been observed that the snow accumulation is incredibly high beyond Chandanwari, though the road from Pahalgam to Chandanwari has been opened for vehicular traffic. thanks to significant accumulation of snow, the advance party of PDA couldn't reach Sheshnag and had to come back back. Even at the time of inspection, it had been snowing at Chandanwari and beyond. Mr Choudhary mentioned the specified action set up for clearing of track and erection of infrastructure facilities well in time for the yatra, which is able to begin on June twenty five. He conjointly issued directions for immediately beginning the work at Nunwan Base Camp. Deputy Commissioner, Anantnag, Kifayat Rizvi, SSP Anantnag, Ramesh Jalla, Mir Altaf, CEO Pahalgam Development Authority and different district officers accompanied the CEO and deliberated on the yatra arrangements. Meanwhile, Department of Posts can begin the registration of Shri Amarnathji Yatris on behalf of Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board from might seven, 2012 and this may be a serious boon to the pilgrims. Hundred Post Offices across the country are identified during this regard. This facility are additionally to the 174 Bank Branches and via the net based mostly e-registration system already announced by the Shrine Board.According to Mr Choudhary, till last year the registration was done solely through J&K Bank and YES Bank. "In a serious initiative to produce convenience to the pilgrims for the registration, SASB has pledged with the Department of Posts for registration of yatris through choose post offices", he said.According to John Samuel, Chief Postmaster General, four Yatri Post Offices are established within the Yatra route for the advantage of the pilgrims. These Yatri Post Offices can give basic postal services, as well as letter post, registered post and speed post facilities to the pilgrims. "For quite twenty years these Yatri Post Offices are non-functional and through this year these are revived and created absolutely functional", he said, adding "during Shri Amarnathji Yatra special postal covers and movie post cards are brought out and that they are obtainable at Yatri Post Offices. These are necessary memento for the Yatris".

Amarnath Shrine Board Politicized
Amarnath Yatra 2012 from June 25

Provide food to yatris as per diet chart

A 5-member deputation of the representatives of the Shri Amarnath Barfani Langar Organisation (SABLO) referred to as on N. N. Vohra, Governor, at Raj Bhavan here nowadays.

The deputation was led by Vijay Thakur, President, and Rajan Gupta, General Secretary of SABLO.

Interacting with the deputation, the Governor emphasised that the langar service ought to be ensured for the Yatris the least bit the identified places until the conclusion of the pilgrimage. He urged the langars to supply food as per the diet chart circulated to them, that takes into consideration the nutritional needs of the Yatris, notably in read of the high altitude and troublesome climate within the Yatra space.

The Governor additionally stressed the crucial importance of maintaining hygienic conditions in and around all langars, throughout the whole Yatra amount, for safeguarding the atmosphere of the world.

The SABLO deputation assured the Governor, who is that the Chairman of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, that they'll absolutely regard his direction and devote special attention to maintaining cleanliness within the entire Yatra space, notably in and round the Langar areas. They additionally advance many suggestions for improving the Yatra facilities.

Navin Kumar Choudhary, Principal Secretary to the Governor and Chief govt Officer of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board, and Preet Pal Singh, further Chief govt Officer of the Board, attended the meeting.

The deputation comprised Pawan Saboo, Chairman, SABLO, Kapil Kapoor and Rajiv Sikri, its Members.

Amarnath Yatra 2011 weather

Amarnath Yatra reaches 5.72 lakh

6.36 lakh Piligrims Visit Amarnath Yatra 2011

Amarnath yatra registration from may 7

Pilgrims will currently fly to cave from Rs 1445 solely

The process of registering Yatris for this year's Shri Amarnathji Yatra can start on might seven, 2012, simultaneously for each the Baltal and Chandanwari routes, through 174 Bank Branches and via the web based mostly e-Registration System.

The decision to start the registration for this year's Yatra was taken throughout an in depth review meeting held yesterday by the Shrine Board Chairman, N. N. Vohra, with Navin K. Choudhary, Chief govt Officer, Preet Pal Singh, further Chief govt Officer and alternative involved functionaries of the Board.

Mr Choudhary informed that the registration of the Yatris can start, across the country, from Registration Counters located in 121 designated Branches of the J&K Bank, forty nine Branches of the YES Bank and four District Cooperative Banks. For the data of all involved, full details of all the Registration Centres are being shown on the Board's web site, www.shriamarnathjishrine.com. CEO any stated that, as counseled by the Board's Sub-Committee headed by Sri Sri Ravi Shankarji, and consequently approved by the Shrine Board, this year's Yatra can start simultaneously, along each the Baltal and therefore the Chandanwari routes, on twenty fifth June and culminate on Raksha Bandhan, the 2nd August, 2012.

While applying for Yatra allow each intending Yatri would be needed to submit a Health Certificate issued by a Registered Medical Practitioner (RMP). CEO informed that forty five, sixty eight and 107 Yatris had lost their lives within the 2009, 2010 and 2011 Yatras, respectively. during this context, and additionally considering that a majority of the Yatris don't pay serious attention to the Health Advisories issued by the CEO, the Board has determined that the Yatris ought to endure a compulsory health check-up and furnish a Health Certificate from a Registered Medical Practitioner once they apply for a Yatra allow. This demand had additionally been suggested by the National Disaster Management Authority, he added.

CEO stated that with the shut attention paid by the Shrine Board Chairman, N. N. Vohra, it had been doable to progressively expand the Registration network once a year, for enhancing the convenience of the intending Yatris. This year, the Board has been ready to increase the amount of Bank Registration Counters to 174 from 149 in 2011.

For the aim of Registration, to be done on "First-Come-First-Serve Basis", the requisite Application type and therefore the Compulsory Health Certificate type is collected from any of the designated branches of J&K Bank, YES Bank and Cooperative Banks or downloaded from the Board's web site. Registration are going to be done through a Yatra allow, which is able to be issued on the submission of a duly filled-in Application type, Compulsory Health Certificate and payment of handling charges of Rs. fifteen per Yatri. As determined by the Chairman, there'll be no increase within the handling charges of Rs. fifteen per Yatri for Registration done through the Registration Counters or through the web based mostly e-Registration system.

The CEO said that the Yatris will get a provisional Yatra allow on-line via the web site of J&K Bank (http://yatra.jkbank.net), on payment of handling charges of Rs. fifteen per Yatri. but Yatris, who hold provisional Yatra Permits can ought to submit the prescribed Health Certificate at Yatra Base Camps - Baltal and Nunwan - and have their provisional Yatra Permits stamped by officers of the Shrine Board before being allowed to proceed beyond the bottom Camps. This facility has been particularly provided for the advantage of those pilgrims who might not have prepared access to any of the 174 designated Registration Counters. CEO stated that each Registered Yatri are going to be coated by an Accidental Insurance of Rs. one lakh, that is paid by the Shrine Board.

Cautioning the Yatris against endeavor this arduous Yatra while not securing a allow, Mr Choudhary stressed that for guaranteeing effective security arrangements along the troublesome tracks, solely those Yatris are going to be allowed to proceed beyond the bottom Camps, and cross the Entry Gates at Domel and Chandanwari, who are in possession of a Yatra allow that is valid for a specified date and route.

The CEO stated that, from seventh might 2012 onwards, the interested Yatris will reserve their heli-seats through the net based mostly on-line Reservation System, by logging on to the Shrine Board's web site. He clarified that to scale back inconvenience and delays, any Yatri who travels by the helicopter services wouldn't be needed to get a Yatra allow however can got to furnish a Compulsory Health Certificate before being allowed to board the helicopter. CEO explained that the helicopter price ticket would function Yatra allow for the Yatris traveling by helicopter services, because the format of the price ticket would contain the data needed by the Board.

He informed that the helicopter services for the Yatris would be accessible on every of the 2 routes viz. Baltal-Panjtarni-Baltal and Pahalgam-Panjtarni-Pahalgam. The a technique heli-fare for Baltal-Panjtarni and Pahalgam-Panjtarni has been mounted at Rs. 1445 and Rs. 2355, respectively. The CEO noted that this year one-way passenger fare for Baltal-Panjtarni has been reduced to Rs. 1445, from Rs. 2425 last year. Like-wise, the one-way passenger fare for Pahalgam-Panjtarni has been reduced to Rs. 2355, from Rs. 3495 last year.

Amarnath Yatra By Helicopter

Amarnath pilgrims will now need to carry medical certificate

Panun Kashmir on Amarnath Yatra

Contradictions in Amarnath Yatra report

BJP State Chief Spokesperson Dr Jitendra Singh has accused Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) of creating an avoidable controversy over the duration of Yatra and giving out the impression that SASB is inclined to disturb peace in the region by raking up a conflict at the behest of National Conference led coalition Government in the State.

Dr Singh pointed out to Contradictions in the report submitted by sub-committee of the SASB regarding duration and schedule of yatra and said that on page no. 18 of the report, while para 40 (ii) recommends 25 June 2012 as the date for commencement of yatra on the plea that it is an auspicious day, the very next paragraph that is para 40 (iii) refers to possibility of beginning the yatra from 17 June 2012 which is also, according to it, an auspicious day.

Dr Jitendra Singh alleged that the tone and tenor of Sub-Committee report gives the impression that its membners are themselves not sure or convinced about what they are recommending and have simply played with words and phrases to accommodate the priorities and viewpoint SASB.

In para 40 (i), the Sub-Committee report itself admits that Shri Amarnath Yatra is to commence on "Jyeshta Purnima" but goes on to add that if this is not feasible due to climatic factors, Pooja is to be held at any other suitable place in the yatra area, pointed out Dr Jitendra Singh and said that better could have been if instead the sub-committee had suggested faster snow-clearing and track clearance for early start of Yatra.

He said that the Pahalgam Development Authority (PDA), which has been assigned the task of snow clearing, is inadequately equipped for it and asked if the Shrine Board is honest about it, what prevents it from engaging professional services of a specialized agency.

Dr. Jitendra Singh quoted scientific references from Geology books to emphasize the point that May to September is congenial weather enroute Amarnath Shrine and said the yatra could be made operative for longer period with provision of weather forecasts from time to time. 

SASB clarifies report on duration of yatra

Governor reviews arrangements for Shri Amarnath Yatra

Governor N. N. Vohra, chaired a series of meetings to review the status of arrangements related to the Shri Amarnathji Yatra-2012, at Raj Bhavan here today.

Among others, Nasir Aslam Wani, Minister of State for Home, Kuldeep Khoda, Director General of Police, K. B. Agarwal, Principal Secretary, PWD, B. B. Vyas, Principal Secretary to the Chief Minister, Navin Kumar Choudhary, Principal Secretary to the Governor and Chief Executive Officer of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board and other concerned senior functionaries participated in the meetings.

In the meeting with the Minister of State for Home, the Governor had a detailed review of the security arrangements being made for Shri Amarnathji Yatra-2012. He also discussed with Mr. Wani and concerned officers up to-date status of the action taken to implement the recommendations of High Level Committee which was set up on the directions of the Governor and the Chief Minister after last year's Yatra, particularly those relating to the opening and clearing of tracks along both the routes to the Shrine.

Among the decisions taken it was agreed that the PWD will immediately approach the Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways for taking up the project for improvement and upgradation of Baltal-Holy Cave route and the time bound execution of this project through the Border Roads Organization.

The Governor directed the CEO of the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board to urgently visit Pahalgam and Baltal to assess the status of the snowmelt and preparatory work for undertaking various works related to the forthcoming Yatra. He also directed the CEO to discuss all Yatra 2012 issues with the Divisional Commissioner, Kashmir; Deputy Commissioners of Anantnag and Ganderbal Districts, CEOs of the Pahalgam and Sonamarg Development Authorities, Director, Indian Meteorological Department, Srinagar, Chief Engineer, Project Beacon, Border Roads Organization and other related agencies.

LAHDC allots 1499 kanal land to SKUAST

Tourism Minister discusses Amarnath Yatra

Minister for Tourism Nawang Rigzin Jora today called on Governor N N Vohra and discussed Amarnath Yatra arrangements at Raj Bhawan here.

Among others, the timely commissioning of the shelter sheds, toilets at the various identified locations along the Yatra routes, by the Tourism Department, and increasing their number, wherever required, also came up for discussion during the meeting.

Mr Jora also briefed the Governor about the various initiatives being taken by the Tourism Department for the promotion of tourism in the State, including the projected schemes for developing a pilgrim tourism circuit in Jammu, a Sufi circuit in Kashmir Valley and a Buddhist circuit in Ladakh.

Largest Temple to come up in Bihar

Amarnath Yatra registration from May 8

Registration for this year’s annual holy pilgrimage to Baba Amarnath shrine in South Kashmir Himalayas would start from May 8.

Official sources told the Jk News that all necessary formalities for start of registration were being completed.

Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB), which mans yatra to hole cave shrine, has designated branches of Jammu and Kashmir Bank, Yes Bank, Cooperative Banks and 100 Post Offices for registration of pilgrims.

Sources said the Post Offices have been designated for registration of yatris at the places where there were no branches of the designated banks.

"To avoid inconvenience to the pilgrims to travel a long distance for registration, 100 Post Offices have been designated to register the yatris’’, sources said.

Annual pilgrimage of Baba Amarnath ji shrine for this year would start on June 25 and culminate on August 2.

Army to man heights of Baba Amarnath shrine

Authorities devise roadmap for summer, yatra, militancy

Authorities today devised a roadmap to ensure a peaceful summer, Amarnath yatra and Durbar Move this year in the Kashmir valley. They also finalized a strategy to ensure zero level of infiltration on the Line of Control (LoC), which has been maintained during first quarter of the current year.

The strategy was formulated at a high level three hour long security review meeting held in Srinagar, which was attended by top brass of police, Army, para-military forces and Intelligence agencies.

The meeting among others was attended by Director General of Police (DGP) Kuldeep Khoda, General Officer Commanding (GOC) 15 Corps, Lt Gen S A Hasnain, all Commanders of the Army Divisions operating in the Kashmir valley, Additional DGP (Law and Order) K Rajendera, IGP Kashmir SM Sahai, IG CID Dr B Srinivas and top officials of CRPF, BSF, IB and other agencies.

The meeting was follow up of the security review undertaken by Union Home Minister P Chidambaram in Jammu on April 10.

Official sources told the Jk News that the high level meeting devised a roadmap to maintain peaceful summer and ensure fool proof security of tourist spots to keep summer abuzz in the Kashmir valley and prevent any repeat of 2010 like situation when over 100 persons were killed in the protests.

However, 2011 summer had been completely peaceful in the Valley.

Sources said the meeting decided to take care of ``trigger points'', who could provoke the youth to street protests.

Amarnath Yatra By Helicopter

Amarnath Yatra 2012 from June 25

‘‘Various formulas have been worked out to deal with separatists, militants, youths and other provocative forces'', sources said, adding all security and police agencies would keep the youth engaged in different activities.

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has already announced withdrawal of cases against about 5000 youth, mostly stone pelters of 2010 summer. Sources said police have decided to expedite the process of withdrawal of cases as a Confidence Building Measure (CBM) among the youth. The process of withdrawal of cases would be completed within a month's time, they added.

The authorities have decided to beef up security of all tourist spots across the Valley in view of heavy rush of tourists expected in the months of May-July. Intelligence agencies had reports that the militants could target tourists to spoil peak tourist season in summer. However, authorities said, there was nothing to worry for the tourists as fool-proof security arrangements were being made for their visits.

Amarnath yatra security also came under a high level review during the meeting, sources said, adding it was decided that Army would man heights of Baltal and Pahalgam, the twin tracks leading to holy cave shrine of Shri Amarnath ji in South Kashmir Himalayas.

Para-military forces and Jammu and Kashmir Police would dominate rest of the areas including parts of tracks, base camps of Baltal and Nunwan (Pahalgam), Bhagwati Nagar in Jammu and two National Highways of Jammu-Pathankot and Jammu-Srinagar, sources said.

Deployment of security at Shri Amarnath Bhawan and the tracks would start with clearance of snowfall, sources said and added that the Union Home Ministry has already agreed to give additional companies of para-military forces for deployment of pilgrims’ security.

Pilgrimage to holy cave shrine of Amarnath ji is starting on June 25 and would culminate on August 2 on the occasion of Raksha Bandhan.

The meeting expressed satisfaction over the level of militancy related incidents, which have considerably gone down across the State.

Mr Khoda said as against 2000 active militants in the State in 2006, there were just 175 militants left now including 145 in the Kashmir valley and 30 in Jammu.

``There has been zero infiltration at the Line of Control (LoC) this year. Army was determined to maintain this tempo on the LoC in the coming days as well especially when snow would start melting in next few days'', sources said, adding that Army was maintaining a high alert on the LoC to thwart intrusion bid.

The meeting noted that as against 25 militancy related incidents across the State so far, 55 incidents had been reported during corresponding period last year while only five civilians have been killed this year as against 14 last year.

Twenty-nine militants have been killed as against 27 last year while there had been no losses of security forces as against five fatalities suffered last year during the same period. The militancy related incidents so far were 50 per cent down from 2011 and 47 per cent from 2010, sources said, adding that such a downward trend in the militancy has never been witnessed.

The authorities also reviewed security for shifting of the Civil Secretariat, the seat of the Government, which would shift to Srinagar, the summer capital of the State from May 7 from Jammu for next six months.

JPPF supports VHP demand on yatra duration

Jammu Province Peoples Forum (JPPF) has decided to extend full support to VHP demanding increase in duration of Shri Amarnath yatra.

This was decided in a meeting of JPPF chaired by its president Session Judge (retd) Pavitar Singh. The meeting was attended by all office bearers of JPPF.

Mr Singh said that the Government should not curtail the period of yatra and the duration of yatra should be as per the demand of Hindu bodies.

The meeting among others was attended by Inderjit Khajuria, S Gajan Singh Khajuria, Amrit Mangotra, Th Narayan Singh, M S Katoch, M L Sharma, Kamla Sharma , Rajesh Kesri, Avinash Bhatia, B L Bhardwaj, Sunita Sharma and Rajiv Mahajan.

It may be recalled that VHP has warned agitation on April 16 in case the Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) failed to enhance the duration of yatra as demanded by Hindu bodies. VHP state chief Dr Rama Kant Dubey said that Hindu bodies will not budge an inch from their demand that yatra should commence from traditional date of Jesht Purnima and culminate on Raksha Bandhan.

New High Speed Train to Jammu Introduced

Awareness camp on Girl Education Inaugurated

VHP warns to run parallel yatra from Jesht Purnima

Taking serious exception to the decision of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board (SASB) to run the Swami Amaranth yatra from June 25 instead of Jeshtpurnima falling on June 4, VHP today reiterated that Board has no right to decide the duration and date of yatra and the same should be left to religious leaders.

The yatra should start as per tradition on Jesht Purnima which is an auspicious day and nothing short of this will be acceptable to Hindu bodies in general and Baba Amarnath and Baba Buda Amarnath Yatri Niyas in particular, VHP state president and Trustee of the Niyas Dr Rama Kant Dubey told reporters here today.

Criticizing the Shrine Board Dr Dubey said it's statement of performing symbolic Pooja on Jesht Purnima is against Hindu traditions and rituals as there is no word like symbolic used in worship of God as per Hindu mythology. This way the Board has hurt the sentiments of the Hindus all over the globe, he added.

The Board must learn that the "Pooja'' is always real and not symbolic'', he said, adding this way the Board was eroding the sanctity of the holy yatra running from immemorial times.

Dr Dubey said that Kailash Mansarowar Yatra which is the toughest yatra in the world and which involves three countries India, Nepal and China has never become controversial as the Amarnath yatra became, after Governor N N Vohra who is also the chairman of the Board took over in 2008.

He said even no problem is created in Machil Mata or Kailash Kund yatra in Doda district but only controversy has been created for Amarnath yatra since 2008, he said and warned that Niyas and VHP will defy the Board by launching a parallel yatra on Jesht Purnima which is an auspicious day as per Hindu Calander and tradition.

The VHP and Niyas will launch a nation-wide Amarnath Yatra Bachao campaign and recruitment of Shiv Bhakts from Hanuman Jayanti tomorrow to April 30 to run the yatra from June 4, he said. During this period 21 lakh Shiv Bhakts will be recruited all over India while 1.5 lakh Bhakts will be recruited in Jammu region alone, he added.

Accusing the Shrine Board of creating a drama on the name of Yatra and misguiding the Sub Committee, security agencies and Sants on the duration of yatra, he said this will not be tolerated by Hindu bodies.

The Board was launching a misinformation campaign on the name of yatra, he said, adding the Board wants to run the yatra as per rotation which is against the Hindu traditions, faith and rituals.

Dr Dubey said no body has given Board the right to over rule the Shastras and it too has to go as per the Hindu rituals and traditions.

He said the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had also intimated to the VHP and Niyas delegations twice that Government will have no problem in running the yatra for three months provided the Shrine Board makes a recommendation in this regard.

Hem Raj Khajuria, vice president VHP and Dr Shayam its secretary also spoke.

Amarnath Yatra 2012 from June 25

Amarnath pilgrims will now need to carry medical certificate