Amarnath Yatra 2024: JK Admin assesses action plan for registering 33,000 service providers
The annual Amarnath Yatra, which witnesses a huge influx of Hindu pilgrims who undertake the trek to the holy cave shrine located 3,880 meters above sea level in the Himalayan range of south Kashmir, usually takes place in the month of Shravan' (July -August).
Amarnath Yatra 2024: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Thursday revised an action plan for registration of around 33,000 services for this year's Amarnath Yatra. An official said that at a preparatory meeting chaired by Labor Commissioner Charandeep Singh, department officials were urged to prepare for the annual pilgrimage to the holy cave in the Himalayas in south Kashmir and ensure timely and hassle-free registration of service providers.
The meeting deliberated on this year's action plan for registration of service providers who come from different districts of Jammu and Kashmir and facilitate the pilgrims on their journey to the holy cave from both Pahalgam and Baltal axis every year, officials said. .
They said as many as 32,819 service providers, including 15,903 ponywalas, 10,023 palki and dandiwalas and 6,893 pithuwalas, were registered by the labor department for the yatra.
Asserting that the labor department plays an important role in the smooth conduct of the yatra, Singh said once the dates for the start of the registration process are finalized, it will be communicated to the service providers.
The department will facilitate prior registration of service providers both in their native districts and in camps in Ganderbal and Anantnag districts, besides ensuring timely and hassle-free issuance of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) cards in their favor in coordination with the Shri Amarnathji. Shrine Board (SASB) and concerned district administrations, Singh said.
For this purpose, registration camps were established at Sonmarg, Kangan, Manigam, Gund, Gutlibagh and Baltal in Ganderbal district and Matigawran, Sallar, Khayar, Aishmuqam, Anantnag and Pahalgam in Anantnag district, besides other district headquarters, he said.
Emphasizing on better coordination with other line departments regarding contractors and contract workers hired for various works for the yatra, Singh said that line departments, being the major employers, are required to keep the list of all such contractors engaged by them share with the labor department so that The interests of contract workers are protected in terms of wages, working hours and other basic amenities.
The annual pilgrimage to Amarnath, which witnesses a huge influx of Hindu pilgrims who undertake the trek to the holy cave shrine located 3,880 meters above sea level in the Himalayan range of south Kashmir, usually takes place in the month of Shravan' ( July August).
(With PTI inputs)