Facilities for pilgrims remain grossly inadequate
*No non-official members in Shrine Board for years
Mohinder Verma
JAMMU, Oct 22: The two ancient and revered shrines of Shri Mata Sukrala Devi and Shri Mata Bala Sundari in Billawar tehsil of Kathua district continue to languish in neglect even 12 years after the enactment of the Shri Mata Sukrala Devi and Shri Mata Bala Sundari Shrine Act, 2013, which was hailed as a landmark initiative to usher in transparency, accountability and planned development but has instead turned into a saga of prolonged litigation, bureaucratic indifference and complete policy paralysis.
The most shocking aspect is that despite knowing that the prolonged court battle has yielded nothing, neither the Baridars (traditional caretakers) nor the administration has made any sincere effort to break the deadlock and find a workable solution so that the long-pending developmental activities can be taken up and adequate facilities created for the pilgrims visiting these revered shrines.
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The Shrine Act, modeled on the lines of the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board Act, was passed by the Jammu and Kashmir Legislature in 2013 to ensure better management and development of the two temples. However, soon after its passage, the Baridars challenged the provisions of the Act before the court of law, questioning the Government’s right to take over management and administration of the shrines.
Since then, the matter has remained sub judice, effectively bringing all major developmental activities to a grinding halt. With no judicial closure or out-of-court settlement in sight, the shrines visited by thousands of devotees each year continue to suffer from poor infrastructure, lack of amenities and absence of any organized developmental planning, official sources told EXCELSIOR.
“Over the years, successive Governments have repeatedly cited the ongoing litigation as the primary reason for inaction. However, the fact is that the court never stopped the administration from taking measures to improve facilities for pilgrims or from appointing a full fledged Shrine Board”, said a retired Government officer familiar with the issue, adding “the legal dispute has become a shield behind which administrative inaction continues to thrive”.
As can be easily gauged from a visit to these shrines, basic pilgrim facilities such as accommodation, sanitation, parking and regulated access routes remain grossly inadequate. The condition of the approach roads and surrounding areas clearly reflects years of neglect, while the absence of a fully functional Shrine Board has left no agency directly accountable for improving or maintaining pilgrim amenities.
Further, the prices of various goods and services being sold in and around the shrine areas, particularly to the pilgrims, are outrageously high, exploiting the devotees who travel long distances to offer their prayers. Shockingly, the official machinery has failed to exercise even basic oversight, allowing vendors to overcharge with complete impunity, thereby adding to the hardships faced by the pilgrims.
Equally shocking is the fact that the Shrine Board, as envisioned under the Act, has remained incomplete for years. While official members continue to hold positions, the Government has failed to appoint non-official members from among social workers, devotees and local stakeholders.
The inordinate delay in nomination of non-official members is notwithstanding the fact that as per the provisions of Section 13 of the Shri Mata Sukrala Devi and Shri Mata Bala Sundari Shrine Act, 2013, no business of the Board can be transacted at any meeting unless at least seven members are present.
“For any major decision concerning these shrines, the approval of the Shrine Board is essential. The prolonged delay in appointing non-official members is completely unjustified and is severely hampering development,” sources said.
“The biggest sufferers in this prolonged tussle are the devotees who visit the shrines throughout the year. With no organized pilgrim management, unregulated parking, inadequate drinking water, poor sanitation and absence of proper accommodation continue to mar the spiritual experience”, they said.
EXCELSIOR contacted several officers in the administration as well as in the Department of Law, Justice and Parliamentary Affairs, but none provided a satisfactory response regarding any possible or immediate solution to the prolonged litigation.
“As the stalemate enters its 12 years, the need for decisive intervention has become urgent. The Government must either expedite the legal proceedings or initiate a dialogue with the Baridars to find a mutually acceptable resolution”, sources stressed.
They added: “Simultaneously, immediate steps should be taken to appoint non-official members to the Shrine Board and restart developmental works to provide pilgrims with the facilities they deserve”.
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