Union Minister of State for Development of North Eastern Region and PMO, Dr Jitendra Singh inaugurated the Shiv Khori Mela at Ransoo here today.Minister of State for Tourism Priya Sethi, Minister of State for Finance and Planning, Ajay Nanda, Divisional Commissioner Jammu Hemant Kumar, District Development Commissioner Prasanna Ramaswamy G, SSP Reasi Tahir Bhat, AD Tourism Umesh Shan, Executive Officer SSKSB Om Parkash, concerned officers besides devotees in large number were present on the occasion.The traditional festival is being organized jointly by Tourism Department, Shiv Khori Shrine Board and District Administration Reasi.While felicitating local people and devotees on the occasion, the Minister said that all out efforts are being made to ensure massive development in Jammu and Kashmir. He also enlisted some mega development projects sanctioned and completed in Reasi, Kathua, Udhampur and Doda areas.The Union Minister also announced Rs 1.20 crore from MP fund for development in the Ransoo areas which include Rs 60 lakhs for constructing toilet complex in convergence mode, 40 lakhs for Yatri Niwas and 20 lakhs for tube wells.
Priya Sethi in her address said that tourism department has taken several initiatives to develop the places of religious and historic importance in the state to promote state as a major tourist destination.Ajay Nanda while speaking on the occasion said that historic Shiv Khori Shrine is a prime tourist attraction and steps are afoot to develop better infrastructure and logistics for the devotees and tourists .Earlier, the DDC in his welcome address said that District Administration has made elaborate arrangements for smooth conduct of the Mela as well as for comfortable stay of pilgrims at Ransoo. On the inaugural function, popular shoba yatra popularly known as Shiv Barat was also taken out from Hotel New Tridev to Darshani Deodi where the chief guest inaugurated the main event and also inspected stalls established by various departments for highlighting welfare schemes.The tourism department presented colorful cultural programme in collaboration with Academy of Art Culture and Languages which was highly appreciated by the audience. Chaman Lehari group, Krishan Singh Party and students also presented traditional song and dance items.