For giving boost to the religious tourism, employment and development in and around Ramnagar and fulfilling the long pending aspiration of the Civil Society of Ramnagar/Majalta, a Private Member Bill on Setting up of Shrine Board for Shri Mata Pingla And Chauntra Devi Ji Shrine was tabled in the lower House of Legislature by Ranbir Singh Pathania BJP law maker from Ramnagar Assembly Constituency. Pertinent to mention here that during the Winter Session of Legislature the bill was moved by Pathania but the assembly did not pass it.
The Shrine OF Mata Shri Pingla Devi Ji located at Village Pinger in a picturesque landscape, 25 kms from Ramnagar town and at equidistant another Shrine of Mata Chountra Devi Ji located at Dhar Chountra. The place is worth visiting, The Natural surroundings and the picturesque scenery gives a relief from the complexities of life.However road connectivity to both the shrines is not in a very healthy condition.
A PMGSY road to the Shrine Of Shri Mata Pingla Devi Ji from Ramnagar side is in under construction and from Manwal Side the road connectivity to Holy Shrine is being funded through NABARD.
A 26 crore package under CRF will be providing the circular connectivity to the Shrine of Shri Mata Chountra Devi Ji from Dhar Road (Thial) to Shrine and Ramnagar is in offing,
Citing the objectives for Setting up of Shrine Board for these twin religious bodies, Pathania said that pilgrims in thousand numbers visit the Shrines to pay their obeisance on all days especially every Tuesday and Sunday and particularly during Navartaras with the result the Yatra becomes unmanageable due to the reason that the basic infrastructure has not been developed there for providing facilities to the pilgrims. Therefore, lot of inconvenience is faced by the pilgrims. The pilgrimage to the Shine is increasing every year and offerings of the Shrine are not being effectively utilized. It is expected that after the Board is constituted the avenues of employment will generate forthe local population. In view of the fast growing popularity of the Shrines and increase in the number of pilgrims in thousands, a need has been felt to constitute a Statutory Authority on the pattern of the Board Shri Shiv Khori Shrine, Shri Mata Sukrala Devi Ji and Shri Mata Sundari Shrine for better management, administration and governance of Shri Pingla Devi Ji Shrine and Shri Chountra Mata Ji Shrine and their endowments including the land and structures attached to the Shrines.
Responding on the behalf of Government, Naeem Akhter Hon’ble Minister for Education, said that the Govt. will request the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board to manage the day today affairs and pilgrimage to these Shrines till the Shrine Board for these twin Shrines is being established.
Apparently satisfied by the Government response, the bill was later drawn by the legislator.
Expressing satisfaction over the response of Government, the Civil Society of Ramnagar was in full praise for the young legislator who untiringly took up this issue seriously in the legislative assembly as these Shrines are held in strong belief by local populace. The civil Society expressed further hoped that with this step the Pilgrimage to these Shrines will increase manifold which will not only increase the religious tourism in the area but also provide ample employment and business opportunities to the local populace.
The civil society also said they were fed up with the petty politics, fake and hollow promises by the politicians on this issue and have lost hope, but finally their present legislator has make it possible that Govt. has to give assurance on the floor of the House that it will request the Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Boa
