SRINAGAR: Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has reconstituted both the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board and the Amarnath Ji Shrine Board, nominating a total of 18 eminent individuals from diverse fields as members for a three-year term.
Separate notifications to this effect were issued on Monday, with the Lieutenant Governor, who serves as the Chairman of both boards, approving the appointments.
For the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, the newly appointed members include philanthropist and author Sudha Murty, Mahamandaleshwar Swami Vishveshvaranand Giriji Maharaj, retired IPS officer Dr Ashok Bhan, retired IAS officer Baleshwar Rai, Gunjan Rana, Dr K.K. Talwar, Kulbhushan Ahuja, Lalit Bhasin, and Suresh Kumar Sharma.
In the Amarnath Shrine Board, the nine nominees are spiritual leader Swami Avdheshanand Giri Maharaj, vocalist Prof. Kailash Mehra Sadhu, K.K. Sharma, K.N. Rai, Mukesh Garg, Dr Shailesh Raina, Dr Simridhi Bindroo, Suresh Haware, and Prof. Vishwamurti Shastri.
The reconstitution is aimed at strengthening the management and development of the two prominent Hindu pilgrimage sites in Jammu and Kashmir. Both boards play a vital role in overseeing pilgrimage logistics, infrastructure, and religious affairs associated with the revered shrines.
Officials said the newly inducted members bring a wealth of experience from sectors including public administration, spirituality, academia, healthcare, and civil society.
The Lieutenant Governor emphasised the commitment of the administration to ensure smooth conduct and improved facilities for devotees visiting the shrines.
