Deputy Chief Minister Dr. Nirmal Kumar Singh today asked the officers to ensure smooth functioning of Shri Mata Sukrala Devi and Mata Bala Sundri Ji Shrine Boards by involving all the stakeholders in the day to day functioning and also providing the devotees with the requisite facilities.The Deputy Chief Minister was addressing officers and members of the Board during the review meeting convened to discuss the functioning of these Boards.The meeting was attended by Divisional commissioner Jammu Dr Pawan Kotwal, DC Kathua, Mr Ramesh Kumar, SSP Kathua, Joint Director Tourism, Mr Vishesh Paul, other senior officers, Mr Zorawar Singh Jamwal, Mr Pawan Shastri and other Board members.The Deputy Chief Minister directed the officers to expedite the developmental issues of the Boards by ensuring time bound completion of various infrastructural works so that the devotees coming to pay their obeisance get the requisite facilities. He said the Government is committed to ensure smooth functioning of the twin boards and the bottlenecks, if any should be removed by collective efforts of all the stakeholders.
Dr Singh also asked for coming up with a comprehensive model for overall supervision of the Boards which would also cater to the functioning of the other religious Boards in the state as well. He said by doing so we would be removing the lacunae if any in the overall functioning and also provide quality facilities to the devotees.The Deputy Chief Minister said that the Government is committed to give flip to the religious tourism in the State and in this regard a comprehensive mechanism has been put in place which would ensure development of various religious places and shrines across the State. He said it would also result in elevating the socio-economic profile of these areas besides also providing the people with the opportunity of discharging their religious duties and obligations.The meeting also discussed various issues related to the overall infrastructural development of the Boards, appointment of human resource to man these Boards, enhancement in the wages of the Board employees and other related things.