PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/ Dehradun
Governor lieutenant general ( Retd) Gurmit Singh has said that the Char Dham Yatra is not just an administrative duty but a spiritual and cultural responsibility and it should be performed with complete dedication and sensitivity. He chaired a review meeting with senior officers of the State administration on Yatra preparations at Lok Bhawan on Thursday.
He said that the devotees coming on the Yatra should be welcomed, served and hosted with such a feeling that they return from here with a pleasant and unforgettable experience.
On a stern note, the governor said that strict action against those involved in cybercrimes should be taken, especially those related to fraudulent helicopter bookings, over-rating and hotel booking fraud. The governor said that an effective mechanism to control the spread of misleading and negative information on social media should be set in place. He said that the Char Dham Yatra provides an opportunity to strengthen the local economy, benefiting self-help groups, homestay operators and local entrepreneurs. He called for an effective coordination between various departments for smooth, easy and orderly conduct of the Yatra. The governor also directed officials to ensure advance preparation and alternative arrangements for all possible contingencies. Emphasising the importance of giving top priority to healthcare during travel, he said that prompt treatment and rescue arrangements should be made within the ‘golden hour’.
The governor said that the district magistrate and senior superintendent of police should work in coordination with all relevant departments for smooth conduct of Yatra. He urged the DMs to actively engage organizations such as veterans, the Red Cross, NCC and NSS volunteers in the Yatra.
Principal secretary L Fanai, secretary Shailesh Bagoli, Ravinath Raman, Pankaj Pandey, B V R C Purushottam, Ranvir Singh Chauhan, Vinod Kumar Suman, Dhiraj Garbyal and others attended the meeting. The DMs and SSPs of the districts on the Yatra route attended the meeting virtually.
