The Hindu : New Delhi News : Ministry allows transit camps for Ganga Sagar pilgrims

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Sunday, Jan 06, 2008
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Ministry allows transit camps for Ganga Sagar pilgrims

Special Correspondent

KOLKATA: The Defence Ministry has reportedly revoked an earlier decision and directed the Army authorities here to permit the setting up of temporary transit camps in the city for pilgrims heading for the Sagar Island on the occasion of the Ganga Sagar mela that draws thousands of people from across the country.

A telephonic intimation granting permission for the camps to be set up in an area that is under the jurisdiction of the Defence Ministry was received by the local Army authorities here on Thursday night.

The Ministry had initially decided against allowing the construction of temporary camps and informed the local Defence authorities here accordingly, a Defence spokesman told TheHindu here on Friday.

An average of 5,000 pilgrims come each day to spend their nights in these camps that are set up for around a fortnight, either on their way to the mela or on their return.

Initiative

It was at the initiative of the External Affairs Minister, Pranab Mukherjee, that permission was finally granted, general secretary of the West Bengal Pradesh Congress Committee Manas Bhunia said.

“Mr. Mukherjee took up the matter with Defence Minister A.K. Anthony on Wednesday after a request to do so was made by the State party leadership”, Dr. Bhunia said. “The State Congress leadership has demanded that the State government approach the Centre for declaring the Ganga Sagar mela which draws lakhs of pilgrims from across the country and several visitors from overseas a national mela,” he added.

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