KATRA: A meeting of prominent citizen of Katra Town was held on Tuesday under the chairmanship of MLA Reasi Baldev Raj Sharma in connection with non organising of Navratra festival 2014 by the Department of Tourism J and K Govt. and Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, poor insanitary condition and dilapidated conditions of roads and lanes of the town.
Citizens in the meeting had a discussion regarding problems being faced by the pilgrims visiting Shri Mata Vaishno Devi and inhabitants due to poor insanitary condition and dilapidated roads and lanes of the town with the MLA besides expressing concern over the low key affair of Navratra Festival this year. Citizens further said that it is the deliberate attempt of the organisers of Navtratra festival to hurt the sentiments of the devotees of Maa Durga as Navratra Festival adds more spiritualism and religious fragrance in the environment of the town during the period.
Citizens including MLA in one voice urged upon the Department of Tourism and SMVDS Board to rethink and organise the festival with high key affair to spread the message of peace and prosperity among the devotees of Maa Durga throughout the country.
Meanwhile MLA disclose that he has already sought a appointment with Governor Jammu and Kashmir who is also Chairman of SMVDSB to take up the matters of urgent nature which includes provision of infrastructure and maintainace of sanitation in the town which was principally agreed by SMVDSB two year earlier while taking over the contract of Mule and Mazdoor from Municipal Committee Katra.
In the meeting MLA also made aware the citizen about the visit of District Development Commissioner Reasi Shabir Ahmed Bhat along of the officers including ACR, SDM, Tehsildar, Add. SP, Xen PWD, AEE PHE, AEE PDD, ARTO, Naib Tehsildar and EO Municipal Committee Katra to assess the damage of the roads, lanes and drains due to recent heavy rains and prevailing insanitation system. DC assured necessary steps will be taken for overall development of the town after consulting the concerned department as early as possible.
Prominent citizens present and spoke in the meeting were Babu Ram Dubey Chairman Hotel and Restaurant Association, R.R Saraf Retd. Distt. Education officer, Dr. Hari Krishan, Roop Sadhotra, Davinder Heera, Puran Gupta, Shiv Kumar Sharma, President Indian Style Wrestling Association J and K, Kuldeep Dubey Advocate President Bar Association District Reasi, Krishan Malabar, Ajay Baru Mandal Pardhan BJP, Ajay Verma City President, Shashi Gupta President Shiv Khori Mandli, Sham Lal and Jainander Sadhotra EX Councilors, R.S Manhas, Manoj Sadhotra, Bobby, Shiv Jamwal and others.