"Many new initiatives are being taken to bring about progressive improvements in the annual Yatra to the holy cave shrine of Amarnath," N N Vohra, chairman of SASB said yesterday while distributing cheques to 80 pony-wallahs, as compensation for the accidental death of their ponies and horses during the Yatra this year.
Referring to the scheme, Vohra said, this year the compensation amount had been raised from Rs 25,000 to Rs 30,000.
He advised the pony and horse owners to deploy only healthy animals during the Yatra, to avoid fatalities, and urged the Animal Husbandry Department to enhance the facilities for animal health care on both the Yatra routes.
Referring to the lower compensation which had been sanctioned by the Insurance Company in certain cases, Vohra said, as a special gesture the Board will pay the differential amount to the concerned pony and horse owners.
The Governor thanked the State Administration, local stakeholders, people at large and all those who were associated with the management of the Yatra 2012.
"The collective efforts of every one had resulted in the smooth conduct of the pilgrimage," he said.
Various new initiatives taken by the Board included an increased accidental insurance cover which had been provided with full support from the State Government, to the pony owners, Chief Executive Officer of the Shrine Board Navin K Choudhary said.