Yogesh
Jammu, Jun 10: Mouth watering Halwa- Puri and Samosa-Jalebi along many deep fried food items which earlier was must on the platter for Shri Amarnath ji pilgrims has been banned by Shri Amarnath Shrine Board.
The two month long Yatra in Himalayas is commencing from July 1.
Officials said that aiming for the health of the pilgrims, Shri Amarnath Shrine Board has directed langars (community kitchens) organizations to serve only nutritious and healthy meals to the pilgrims en route to the cave shrine.
SASB officials informed that over 120 langars (community Kitchens) to be established this year for the pilgrims at twin routes leading to the cave shrine in the Anantnag District.
“Focusing on the health of the pilgrims, SASB has released a list of permitted and banned meal, food items at ‘langars’ and made it clear that no junk and fried food will be allowed to be served at around 120 langars,” an official said.
A list of banned and permitted items also shared with the langer authorities. The banned food items included Poori, Bathura, Piza, Burgar, Stuffed Parantha, Dosa and Fried Roti, Bread with Butter, Cream Based Foods, Pickle, Chutney, Fried Papad, Chowmein and all other Fried / Fast Food, Cold Drinks and Karrah, Halwa, Jalebi, Gulab Jamun, Laddu Khoya Burfi, Rasgulla and all other Halwai items besides crunchy Snacks (high in fat and salts) chips/Kurkure, matthi, Namkeen Mixture, Pakora, Samosa, Fried Dry Fruits and all other Deep Fried Items. It also included Non Vegetarian foods, Alcohol, Tobacco, Gutka, Pan Masala, Smoking, other intoxicants.
However, the meals in the permitted menu included cereals, pulses, green vegetables, , green salad, fruits and sprouts, rice, Jaggery, Sambar, Idli, Uttapam, Poha, herbal tea, coffee, low fat curd, Sharbat, lemon squash/water, figs, raisins, apricots, other dry fruits.
Moreover, Director Health Services Jammu has directed all concerned officials not to sanction or forward leave applications of doctors and para medical staff.
“In view of Amarnath Yatra 2023, all types of leaves of doctors and para-medical staff except maternity leave and commuted leave on medical grounds, stands cancelled from June 19” the circular reads.
