Shri Amarnathji Shrine Board (SASB) has decided to reduce the number of community kitchens organised by various organisations during annual Amarnath yatra in South Kashmir on the recommendations of expert bodies and security agencies.
"The number of community kitchen (Langars) during the yatra this year will be less as compared to that in 2013," CEO of SASB Navin K Choudhary said.
The decision was taken in view of the recommendations made by expert bodies like National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and other security agencies after several rounds of meetings with various organisations setting up community kitchen, he added.
"The SASB has also revised the terms and conditions for setting up such kitchens in view of concerns by the agencies on maintenance of hygiene in the langar area, environmental protection, no use of plastic materials etc," Choudhary said, adding several binding clauses in this regard have been incorporated in the revised terms and conditions.
All eligible organisations, who have set up langars in the past yatras and do not have any disciplinary proceedings pending against them, would be eligible to set up community kitchen this year.
Choudhary said the organisations have been strictly told to refrain from use of plastics as it is banned in the state.
