Children below 13,persons above 75 years not eligible for Yatra

Jammu, February 10 (Scoop News) – Navin K. Choudhary, Chief Executive Officer, Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board disclosed that no one below 13 years or above the age of 75 years and ladies with six weeks pregnancy would be allowed to undertake this year’s Shri Amarnathji Yatra, which is scheduled to commence on 28th June, 2013 and conclude on 21st August, 2013. He informed that the National Disaster Management Authority had conducted Table Top exercises at Baltal and Nunwan during Shri Amarnathji Yatra 2012 and recommended that no child under the age of 11 years, no person above the age of 80 years and no lady with more than six weeks pregnancy should be allowed to undertake the Yatra. Nitish K. Sen Gupta Committee, which was set up in 1996 to enquire into the  tragedy in which 243 people were killed in the Yatra area, had also recommended that no person under the age of 15 years and no person above the age of 65 years should ordinarily be encouraged to undertake the pilgrimage.

           Choudhary further informed that Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) at its 24th Board meeting deliberated upon the recommendation of National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and Nitish K. Sen Gupta Committee regarding age limit of the Yatris and decided that all persons below the age of 13 years or above the age of 75 years and lady with six weeks pregnancy should not be allowed to undertake the Yatra.

           Choudhary further informed that the decision of the SASB will help in ensuring that only physically fit Yatris shall be able to embark upon the arduous Yatra.

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