Says Yatra makes a big contribution in economy of the state; mismanagement & deaths of pilgrims created a negative image of the state
Wednesday, 18 May | PNS | Dehradun
The Leader of Opposition (LoP) in the state assembly, Yashpal Arya has said that the death of 39 pilgrims in less than 14 days in the ongoing Char Dham Yatra has become a cause of great embarrassment for the Sanatan Dharma in the eyes of the world. In a statement, Arya said that the deaths in the Char Dham Yatra this year are many times higher when compared with similar Yatras in other parts. He said that the Yatra makes a contribution of Rs 1200 Crores in the economy of the state but the gross mismanagement in this year’s Yatra would present a negative image of the state. Arya opined that this would affect the economy of the state.
Launching a scathing attack on the BJP government of the state, Ayra said that the mismanagement during the Yatra has dealt a blow on the religious sentiments of Hindus. Arya added that the Yatris are forced to return from the shrines. The gross management and traffic jams are causing the pilgrims to spend time in the open while hotels which they had booked are vacant as pilgrims are not able to reach their destination on time. He said that there is great anger among the local people, traders, hoteliers and others due the apathetic attitude of the government. Arya said due to traffic jams in various points of Char Dham Yatra, the pilgrims are stranded for hours together on the roads. The LoP said that there are differences among the ministers on the Yatra arrangements. He said that the chief minister, minister and officers gave contrasting statements on the registration compulsion of the pilgrims.
Arya said that the government which was feeling pride in the increased number of pilgrims has now adopted an ostrich-like attitude after things spiralled out of its control.
He said that poor management of Yatra can be understood from the fact that the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has sought a report from the state government on Yatra. Arya claimed that in a recent meeting the member of national disaster management committee Rajendra Singh had scolded the state government on mis management and arrangements in Yatra.
