STATE TIMES NEWS
KATRA: Shri Vaishno Devi Sewa Committee Baridars (SVDSCB) observed black day on 30 years of ‘exile’ and constitution of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board.
Over thousand members of Baridars assembled at Katra Main Chowk and staged massive protest against State Government and Shrine Board.
Addressing the protesters, Sher Singh, President of Shri Vaishno Devi Sewa Committee Baridars said that for the last 30 years government and Shrine Board are befooling the people, who are Sewadars of Mata Vaishno Devi.
He said that over 30,000 persons of Baridars were totally depended upon the offerings of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi to meet their day to day needs but since the constitution of board all these people are now finding it difficult to meet their both ends.
He said Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board took over the Shrine without compensating the genuine Sewadars added the board has now become hub of corruption and nepotism.
“The members of board have been treated as VIP at Bhawan while the members of Baridaran are not allowed to perform Darshan of deity,” he alleged.
He further added that all the members of board don’t have knowledge of Shrine; board should include at least two members from Baridaran community.
Bigwigs from outs side the State secure contract of restaurants, retail outlets in the board while the local people are denied right to earn livelihood,” he said.
He said for the last 30 years we are demanding 40 percent reservations in employments in the Shrine Board as per qualification, scholarships to children of Baridars accruing educations, 10 per cent seats for wards of Baridars in Shri Mata Vaishno Devi University and other educational institutes run by the Shrine Board like Shrine Boards of other Hindu Shrines, new school for children of Baridars at par with central schools etc.
“We would also like to remind the Prime Minister to fulfill his election promise and solve Baridars genuine issue,” he added.
