Agencies
NEW DELHI, July 14: Centre today said it will allocate extra 2,000 quintals of foodgrains to Jammu and Kashmir for Amarnath Yatra pilgrims after the state government submits pending utilisation certificates.
"We are ready to give extra foodgrains. Submit pending utilisation certificates (UCs), we will release foodgrains immediately," Food Minister Ram Vilas Paswan told reporters.
The issue was discussed in a meeting with state food minister Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali here.
Ali said, "We have demanded 2,000 quintals of additional grains for Yatra. The government has assured that it will supply provided pending UCs are submitted. We will do that."
The 48 days yatra, which was opened for devotees from July 2, was suspended on July 9 in the wake of violence in the valley following the killing of a top Hizbul Mujahideen commander Burhan Wani. The Yatra resumed on July 11 amid tight security. So far, more than 1.27 lakh yatris have visited the holy shrine. |
