(a) whether the Government is aware of the arbitrary rates being charged and creation of difficulties for the pilgrims visiting Vaishno Devi from Katra;
(b) if so, the details thereof and the action taken by the Government in this regard;
(c) whether the Government has taken any steps to check arbitrary rates being charged from the pilgrims and to save them from problems; and
(d) if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF STATE FOR TOURISM (INDEPENDENT CHARGE)
(DR. MAHESH SHARMA)
(a) to (d): The Government of Jammu and Kashmir has informed that they are not aware of the arbitrary rates charged from Pilgrims visiting Vaishno Devi from Katra. The rates of the Service Providers at Katra are governed by the District Administration Reasi/Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board.
The District Administration Reasi/Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board is preparing a Detailed Project Report to start pre-paid services by Service Providers for Pilgrims. The State Department of Tourism through its Tourist Police wing also monitors the services provided to the Pilgrims at Katra.
******