news details |
|
|
| Governor sanctions relief for porters families | | Amarnath Pilgrimage | | EARLY TIMES REPORT
SRINAGAR, JULY 2 - Governor, Mr. N. N. Vohra, in his capacity as Chairman, Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB), today sanctioned an ex-gratia relief of Rs. 50,000 each in favour of the next of the kin of two porters killed in a landslide incident near Railpathri on the Baltal-Holy Cave route on 17 June, 2009.
It may be recalled that Ghulam Rasool, 55, son of Abdul Rasool Wani, resident of Darbagh Kangan, and Riyaz Ahmad, 25, son of Abdul Gani Gujjar of village Mude, Budhal, Rajouri, had died in a landslide incident at Kachi Morh, Railpathri, on the second day of the commencement of this year’s Yatra from the Baltal route.
According to a Spokesperson of SASB, the ex-gratia relief has been sanctioned as a special dispensation since the porters were not registered with the Labour Department and were, therefore, not eligible for obtaining an insurance cover of Rs. 50,000 each as is available to all porters who are duly registered with the Labour Department. He said that the Governor has directed for providing financial assistance to the bereaved families of these victims on compassionate grounds keeping in view the most useful contribution made by the Pithu and Ponywalas in facilitating the Yatra. During his visit to the Baltal Base Camp, a few days before the unfortunate mishap, the Governor had impressed upon the officers of the Labour Department to register all the Pithu and Ponywalas and also ensure their insurance coverage.
Meanwhile, 7983 pilgrims performed darshan at the Holy Cave Shrine of Shri Amarnathji on Wednesday. The Yatra had to be suspended for some time yesterday afternoon in view of rains and snowfall in the Holy Cave periphery.
As the weather showed signs of improvement this morning, the Yatra to the Holy Cave resumed from both the Base Camps, of Pahalgam and Baltal, after the local authorities reviewed the condition of the tracks and the weather. A batch of 3240 pilgrims left Baltal Base Camp by 9 a.m. while 1417 pilgrims proceeded for the Yatra on the traditional route of Pahalgam.
According to a report received from Jammu, a contingent of 1437 Yatris left Jammu today for the Amarnathji Yatra via Nunwan and Baltal.
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
| |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
|
