MT News Service
Jammu, April 23:
Ashwani Kumar Chrungoo, senior BJP & Kashmiri Pandit leader appealed to the government today that a One-time special package for Tourism & Pilgrimage related people be declared in the UT of Jammu and Kashmir. Since the suspension of the holy yatras in different areas of Jammu and Kashmir has severely hit people connected with this profession, an unprecedented situation has arisen due to the compulsory lockdown.
Chrungoo further said that the concerns of the business community, the hoteliers and their staff, who are already under stress financially due to the lockdown in J&K, need to be counted so far as suspension of the Yatras is concerned. These sections of the society should be granted a one-time relief package by the Shrine Boards concerned and the government jointly so that their financial situation is saved and their families are fed. In this connection, he referred to Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Yatra, Katra, Shivkhori, Sukrala Mata, Cheechi Mata and other such Devsthan-Yatras in Jammu and Kashmir state.
He said, “the decision to support vulnerable sections of the community is the duty of the state and society. In this connection, decision of the government for financial support to the distressed and youth advocates is highly commendable”. The migrant labourers from various other states are being looked after by various agencies including political, social and religious organizations in Jammu province. “The action of feeding the stomach of poor and needy people in this hour of crisis is tantamount to solemnizing Hawana, Yagyas for gods and holy pilgrimages”. He appealed to the activists and the general public to assure and also take particular care of their deserving and needy neighbors from the downtrodden and poor sections of the society.
Chrungoo condemned the brutal attack on Arnab Goswami, Editor in Chief of the Republic Channel in Mumbai. He said that it is a clear attack on the freedom of press and the people connected with it. In this extraordinary situation, when people connected with media are already exposed to the infectious pandemic, this physical attack on some of them is a serious conspiracy. The government should make necessary arrangements to provide the media activists health gears and guards forthwith and also assure them about their physical security and wellness.
