Jammu, February 28 (Scoop News)- All Jammu Hotels & Lodges Association (AJHLA) today flayed the decision by the SASB to curtail the duration of annual Amarnath Yatra this year, from two months to only 39 days, starting from June 25 to Aug 02, synchronising with Rakhsha Bhandhan.
A meeting of Jammu hoteliers held here today under the chairmanship of. Inderjeet Khajuria appealed to the Chairman SASB N.N.Vohra, the Governor of the state to review the decision, in order to avoid unnecessary controversy in the matter. The meeting observe that over the years the number of pilgrims undertaking the Yatra is increasing every year and last year about 6 lac pilgrims had visited the Shrine.
AJHLA in a statement said that in view of ever increasing rush, the duration of Yatra should have been extended, instead of its curtailment. The shorter period of Yatra will lead to unmanageable rush of pilgrims daily, causing problems for the SASB and the administration, while causing hardships to the pilgrims.
Inderjeet Khajuria recalled that in 2003 when the state government authorities in disregard of the demand by the Hindu religious organisations and other stake holders in the pilgrimage, including trade organisations connected with tourism and pilgrimage, had curtail the Yatra period, an unfortunate situation of confrontation between the authorities and the stake holders in the Yatra had developed, leading to a strong agitation launched in Jammu, under the banner of Amarnath Yatra Action Committee. That situation should be avoided, Khajuria has appealed.
AJHLA has stated that instead of curtailing the Yatra period, step should be taken to facilitate more pilgrims to undertake the Yatra over a longer period. For this scientific measures should be undertaken to keep the holy Snow Shivlingam intact for a longer period. Snow Shivlingam is the motivating force for the pilgrims to visit the Shrine to pay their obscene. The trade organizations connected with tourism and pilgrimage have a stake in the pilgrimage and larger the number of pilgrims more the boost to the economy of the state. A large number of people in Kashmir earn their living from Yatra. Similarly it brings boom to the economy of traders in Jammu.
The others who attending the meeting included Ajay Gupta Sr. Vice President, B.S.Manhas Vice President, Pawan Gupta General Secretary, Baldev Treasurer, Sunil Suri and Vikramjeet Singh Secretaries.