STATE TIMES NEWS
KATRA: Governor N. N. Vohra, Chairman of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, visited the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine and reviewed the arrangements for the pilgrims and status of implementation of major development works, particularly the completion of the Tarakote Marg. The Governor also sought a report from the CEO about the difficulties caused to the pilgrims because of the replacement of the Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000 currency notes and how the same were being dealt with.
A. K. Sahu, Chief Executive Officer of the Shrine Board, informed the Governor that in the wake of Centre’s demonetisation move steps were taken to assist the pilgrims point of sale (POS) machines were installed at all the booking counters, Bhojanalayas all along the track, and at the Shrine Board’s various accommodation units in Jammu and Katra.
He said besides that photo copying facilities were provided at Niharika Complex and Bhawan for the pilgrims and general public for getting the document copied to exchange old currency notes. Sahu asked supervisory officers not to accept the old currency notes of Rs. 500 and Rs. 1000 denominations at any of the Bhojanalayas, booking counters, sales and donation counters and at the Board’s various accommodation units. He said that old currency notes are still being found in the donation boxes installed at various locations but their number has reduced considerably. Sahu said that during the last 30 days after demonetisation a total of Rs. 1.90 crore of the old currency notes have been found in the donation boxes and these have been duly deposited with the bank.