Uncertainty over Bal Mela venue

Lalit Mohan

Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, July 21

The venue for Bal Mela, organised to mark the birthday of Congress leader GS Bali every year, is yet to be finalised, with the administration denying permission to party workers for holding a medical camp at Senior Secondary School in Nagrota Bagwan.

Bali’s supporters are peeved as the school has been the venue for the camp for the past 20 years.

Ajay Verma, member of the organising committee, who is close to Bali said: “We hold the camp in the school as it is closed in July.”

“A blood donation camp is also held. The decision has disappointed us all,” he said.

Bali has been organising the mela on his birthday (July 27) since the first time he won the elections from Nagrota Bagwan in 1998. On the first day, a medical camp is held. Doctors from leading health institutes of the country, including the PGI, Chandigarh, and AIIMS-Delhi, examine patients. On the last day of the mela on July 27, prominent personalities are invited. Verma said: “We are looking for an alternative venue for the camp. The other events will be organised at Gandhi Ground.”

On the denial of venue, Bali said: “I hope the government understands that all such events are for the welfare of the people and it won’t interfere in it.”