Latest news with #Amarnath
The Hindu
a day ago
- Business
- The Hindu
Officials told to spread awareness about ‘doorstep ration delivery for elderly'
Pushpa Amarnath, Vice-Chairperson, Karnataka State Guarantee Schemes Implementation Committee, said on Wednesday that provisions are in place for doorstep delivery of ration to cardholders aged 80 years and above and instructed Gram Panchayats to create awareness and ensure that eligible beneficiaries avail themselves of the facility. Speaking at the guarantee schemes' progress review meeting in Pandavapura, Ms. Amarnath addressed concerns related to the Gruha Lakshmi scheme. She noted that benefits to 1,422 women in the district had been withheld after being mistakenly flagged as Income Tax (IT) or GST payers. 'If it is confirmed that these beneficiaries are not actual taxpayers, the issue will be taken up at the State level and resolved, ensuring 100% implementation,' she said. Elaborating on the State government's commitment to food security, she said, 'No poor person should suffer from hunger under any circumstances. It is with this vision that the government has given top priority to the Anna Bhagya scheme.' She stressed that fair price shops must maintain both quantity and quality in food distribution and instructed officials to carry out surprise inspections to ensure compliance. 'No poor family should be denied government benefits,' Ms. Amarnath said. Deputy Commissioner Kumar said both rice and ragi are being supplied as part of the ration distribution and assured that the process will be completed within the next two days. A PAN card is not mandatory to open a bank account, he clarified. 'Necessary directions will be issued after consulting lead bank officials,' he added. Referring to 1,422 women flagged under Gruha Lakshmi, Zilla Panchayat CEO K.R. Nandini said that confirmation has been received from the GST and Income Tax departments that these women are not taxpayers. Committee member Rudrappa pointed out that linking PAN and Aadhaar during bank transactions is leading to incorrect classification of individuals as taxpayers, which needs to be addressed. During her visit, Ms. Amarnath met Jayalakshmamma, a vendor who sells flowers, fruits, and pooja items at the Pandavapura Railway Station with the help of the Gruha Lakshmi scheme. Ms. Jayalakshmamma said, 'The Gruha Lakshmi and Shakti schemes have been helpful for me. I am able to save ₹100 to ₹150 daily, thanks to the Shakti scheme. I sincerely thank the State government for the support.' The Vice-Chairperson felicitated Ms. Jayalakshmamma with a garland and congratulated her.
The Print
a day ago
- The Print
Centre, J-K committed to safety of Amarnath pilgrims: Shekhawat
'People should come for the Amarnath yatra. The Amarnath yatra is safe, the Government of India and the state government are committed and you will not get even a scratch,' Shekhawat told PTI Videos after visiting the temple. Shekhawat, who visited the Martand Sun Temple at Mattan in south Kashmir's Anantnag district, also appealed to the pilgrims to preserve the environment and natural beauty of the valley. Anantnag (J-K), Jun 19 (PTI) Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Thursday assured top most security to the Amarnath Yatra pilgrims. The Amarnath yatra will be held from July 3 to August 9. Shekhawat also visited the nearby tourist resort of Pahalgam where terrorists struck on April 22 killing 25 tourists and a local pony operator. He said Kashmir is safe and tourists should visit the valley not only to see its natural beauty but also its rich cultural heritage. 'I appeal to the 140 crore people of India to try to see Kashmir's heritage, and its historical grandeur and divinity, along with its natural beauty as well,' he added. To a question about the preservation of famous historical monuments in the valley, the Union minister said some restoration works have been carried out, but there is a need to do more. 'Those monuments which come under the Archaeological Survey of India, the organisation works for their protection, and the state government protects those assets which come under the state archaeology. 'I have seen restoration works have been carried out and they have been carried out very well, but there is a need to work more earnestly on this heritage, which is centuries-old, and we are doing that, so that the people of the country take pride on their heritage in the future as well,' he said. The Union minister also took to X after his visit to the temple. 'Visited the majestic Martand Temple, that is a profound reflection of the glory of Kashmir's civilisational past. Built by the legendary King Lalitaditya, this grand temple dedicated to Surya was one of the earliest and most magnificent sun temples in India,' Shekhawat said in a post on X. 'If it looks this awe-inspiring in its weathered form, one can imagine its grandeur of yore given the temple's scale, sculptural richness, and strategic location atop a plateau overlooking the valley,' he added. The minister also visited the Avanti Swami temple in Awantipora area of Pulwama district. 'An enchanted morning at the Avantipora temple complex in Kashmir today. These stones that are remains of the mighty temples once built by King Avantivarman in what was once his capital tell tales of the cultural glory of that era. 'With the picturesque Himalayan mountains for a backdrop, these are sites that take one on a journey through time,' he said. Shekhawat said he reviewed the tourist facilities and upkeep efforts being undertaken there along with officials of the ASI and district administration. The Union minister on Tuesday visited Mata Kheer Bhavani temple in Tulamulla, and Naranag Temple complex in central Kashmir's Ganderbal. Later on Tuesday evening, the Union minister held an interaction with J-K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. 'During my visit to Jammu & Kashmir, I was graciously invited for a dinner interaction by Hon'ble Chief Minister Shri Omar Abdullah Ji. In a warm and cordial atmosphere, we held a positive and forward-looking discussion on the development of the tourism sector in J&K,' the minister wrote on X. He said emphasis was laid on enhancing infrastructure, promoting heritage sites, and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for local communities through tourism. 'Such engagements reflect our collective commitment to transform Jammu & Kashmir into a global tourism destination that celebrates its culture, nature, and people,' he added. PTI COR SSB KND DV DV This report is auto-generated from PTI news service. ThePrint holds no responsibility for its content.
News18
a day ago
- News18
'Centre, J&K Committed To Safety Of Amarnath Pilgrims': Gajendra Shekhawat As Yatra Begins From July 3
Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat assured top most security to the Amarnath Yatra pilgrims. Nearly a month after tourism was hit by a terrorist attack in Jammu and Kashmir, Union Tourism Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat on Thursday assured topmost security to the Amarnath Yatra pilgrims. Shekhawat also appealed to the pilgrims to preserve the environment and natural beauty of the valley. "People should come for the Amarnath yatra. The Amarnath yatra is safe, the Government of India and the state government are committed and you will not get even a scratch," Shekhawat was quoted as saying by news agency PTI after he visited the Martand Sun Temple at Mattan in south Kashmir's Anantnag district. The Amarnath yatra will be held from July 3 to August 9. Shekhawat also visited the nearby tourist resort in Pahalgam. On April 22, a terror attack killed 25 tourists and a local pony operator sending shockwaves in the entire country. He said Kashmir is safe and tourists should visit the valley not only to see its natural beauty but also its rich cultural heritage. "I appeal to the 140 crore people of India to try to see Kashmir's heritage, and its historical grandeur and divinity, along with its natural beauty as well," he added. To a question about the preservation of famous historical monuments in the valley, the Union minister said some restoration works have been carried out, but there is a need to do more. The Union minister also took to X after his visit to the temple. "Visited the majestic Martand Temple, that is a profound reflection of the glory of Kashmir's civilisational past. Built by the legendary King Lalitaditya, this grand temple dedicated to Surya was one of the earliest and most magnificent sun temples in India," Shekhawat said in a post on X. "If it looks this awe-inspiring in its weathered form, one can imagine its grandeur of yore given the temple's scale, sculptural richness, and strategic location atop a plateau overlooking the valley," he added. The minister also visited the Avanti Swami temple in Awantipora area of Pulwama district. Shekhawat said he reviewed the tourist facilities and upkeep efforts being undertaken there along with officials of the ASI and district administration. The Union minister on Tuesday visited Mata Kheer Bhavani temple in Tulamulla, and Naranag Temple complex in central Kashmir's Ganderbal. He also held an interaction with J&K Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. "During my visit to Jammu & Kashmir, I was graciously invited for a dinner interaction by Hon'ble Chief Minister Shri Omar Abdullah Ji. In a warm and cordial atmosphere, we held a positive and forward-looking discussion on the development of the tourism sector in J&K," the minister wrote on X. He said emphasis was laid on enhancing infrastructure, promoting heritage sites, and creating sustainable livelihood opportunities for local communities through tourism. (With agency inputs) First Published: June 19, 2025, 14:53 IST
Indian Express
2 days ago
- Indian Express
No helicopter services during this year's Amarnath yatra, first since Pahalgam terror attack
There will be no helicopter service for Amarnath pilgrims on both the Pahalgam and Baltal routes this year, the Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) announced on Wednesday. The decision was taken by the SASB following an order by the Jammu and Kashmir government yesterday, declaring all routes to the Amarnath shrine in South Kashmir Himalayas as a no-flying zone. The declaration banning all aviation platforms, including drones and balloons, during the duration of the yatra was taken by the state government on the advice of the Union Home Ministry. 'Competent authority has… declared all routes of the Shri Amarnathji Yatra – including both the Pahalgam and Baltal axes – as a 'No Flying Zone' from July 1 to August 10. Consequently, helicopter services for pilgrim travel shall not be available in the yatra area…,' the SASB notice read. Yatris should reach the holy cave shrine from both South Kashmir's Pahalgam and North Kashmir's Baltal route on foot or by using ponies and palkis (palanquins), it added. The yatra routes that have been declared as no-flying zones include Lakhanpur-Jammu-Qazigund-Srinagar-Sonamarg and Lakhanpur-Jammu-Qazigund-Pahalgam. The annual yatra to the Amarnath shrine this year is beginning on July 3. Lakhs of pilgrims from across the country visit the shrine in South Kashmir Himalayas every year, for which the J&K government undertakes one of the biggest security exercises. The administration and the SASB also undertake a massive exercise to arrange for the boarding and lodging of pilgrims, healthcare, transport and other arrangements during the yatra period. This is the first yatra since the April 22 terror attack in Pahalgam in which 25 tourists and a local ponywalla were killed. The incident had prompted a sweeping security crackdown across the Kashmir Valley and also led to an escalation of hostilities between India and Pakistan.
New Indian Express
3 days ago
- New Indian Express
Amarnath route to be no-fly zone
SRINAGAR: In order to ensure foolproof security arrangements for forthcoming 38-days Amarnath Yatra, Jammu and Kashmir government has declared twin pilgrimage routes a 'No Flying Zone' from July 1, two days before commencement of the yatra. The Amarnath yatra has two routes – traditional Pahalgam route from south Kashmir and shortest Baltal route from central Kashmir. 'The Ministry of Home Affairs had advised that the entire route may be declared as 'No flying zone' w.e.f July 1 to August 10. With a view to ensure strengthened security, all the routes of yatra are hereby declared as 'No Flying Zone' including both Pahalgam axis and Baltal axis,' reads an order of J&K Home Department issued by Principal Secretary Home Chandraker Bharti. The flying of any kind of aviation platforms and devices including UAVs, drones, balloons, etc has been prohibited on the twin yatra routes from July 1 to August 10. The annual Amarnath yatra will start on July 3 and conclude on August 9 coinciding with Raksha Bandhan. However, the restrictions shall not apply to cases of medical evacuation, disaster management, or surveillance operations conducted by security forces.
