SRINAGAR: Large scale bungling has been reported in providing tents to Amarnath pilgrims in Anantnag and Ganderbal districts of Kashmir during this year’s yatra.
A local news agency KNS reports that the authorities have allowed some “blue-eyed persons and non-locals” to provide tents pilgrims at Sheshnag base camp in Pahalgam after they paid bribe of Rs two to three thousand each.
“Permission was given to 2095 tent owners in Pahalgam this year but most of them were outsiders who got the permission after paying the bribe,” the KNS writes.
Zonal Security Officer Sheshnag Ajay Sharma told the agency that Tent Association Pahalgam President, Ghulam Hassan and others came to him with a complaintagainst a few employees in Tehsildar office Pahalgam and Assistant Commissioner Revenue, Anantnag.
“When I probed the matter I could make it that there has been a large scale bungling in providing permissions to the tent owners. I asked the complainants to register their complaint with camp magistrate Sheshnag after which the matter was brought into the notice of DIG South Kashmir, SSP Anantnag and DC Anatnag,” he said.
Sharma added that Chief Executive Officer of Shri Amarnath Shrine Board has been asked for a complete investigation into the matter. “I will submit the complete report to the CEO soon,” he added.
Sources said similar complaints have been received from Chandanwari, Nunwan, Panjtarani, Baltal and few other places.
