Toll exemption en route Naina Devi sought
Our Correspondent
Mandi Ahmedgarh, July 31
The office-bearers and activists of various Hindu religious organisations have demanded exemption in toll being charged on all plazas established on main routes leading to Naina Devi during ensuing challa days.
They have also demanded enhancement of security to protect life and property of pilgrims belonging to almost all communities including Hindus and Sikhs.
Devotees from local town and surrounding localities led by Patron Sidh Sulakhan Committee Jatinder Sharma Happy and secretary Shree Ram Mandir Management Committee Deepak Sharma regretted that the disciples of Mata Naina Devi hailing from southern and westerns parts of the border state had to shell out heavy amount as toll tax on plazas situated on the Patiala-Malerkotla, Nabha-Sirhind, Ludhiana Malerkotla, Barnala Raikot, Raikot Mullanpur roads and those leading to Anandpur Sahib.
Though the government had been exempting taxes for other pilgrimages, no concession was ever given to Hindu organisations.
Justifying the demand raised by the devotees, BJP leader and councillor Bhoj Raj Sharma and Rajan Sharma said a delegation of office-bearers of the state body of Brahmin Sabha, Punjab, led by president Devi Dyal Prashar and vice-president Bimal Sharma had met Chief Minister Parkash Singh Badal recently and apprised him of the demand.
“Though no decision was taken regarding waiver of toll tax on plazas situated in other parts of the state, the CM has advised Deputy Commissioner Ropar Karnesh Sharma to order officials at various plazas situated under his jurisdiction to exempt tax for devotees till August 13,” Bhoj Raj Sharma said.
