Frontier India Current Affairs

Written on April 26, 2008 – 6:19 pm | by FICA |

The computerized draw for the selection of the yatris for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra,2008 was conducted in the Ministry of External Affairs on April 25, 2008 by Minister of State for External Affairs Shri Anand Sharma. The Yatra is scheduled to begin on June 1, 2008. Applicants for the Yatra had been invited earlier this year through an open advertisement in major national and regional media. Yatris have been selected through a computer-generated, gender-balanced random selection process for a total of 960 slots across 16 batches.

Yatra is organized by the Ministry of External Affairs, in coordination with various State and Central Government agencies, since 1981 under a bilateral arrangement between India and China. The Yatra is undertaken every year from June to September. The arrangements on the Chinese side are made by the authorities of the Chinese Occupied Tibet.

A number of facilities are provided by the Government to the Yatris, including medical assistance, security and escort cover by the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) till the Lipulekh Pass on the Indian side, communication links with China and provision of satellite phone to each batch of yatris for use during emergency throughout the Yatra. A Liaison Officer is attached by the Government with each batch of yatris, who is responsible for their general welfare.

In view of our request to allow a greater number of yatris to visit Kailash Mansarovar, the Chinese side has agreed to increase the size of each batch from 44 to 60 yatris per batch. The number of yatris has progressively increased over the years, and this year we will have upto 960 Yatris in 16 batches.

Government is also discussing with the Chinese side issues regarding the improvement of facilities on their side for the Yatra within the constraint of the difficult terrain and the lack of infrastructure along the Yatra route. There has been gradual improvement over the years. The Chinese side conveyed their willingness to provide greater facilitation to pilgrims from India.

This year 960 Yatris have been selected on the basis of draw of lots through a computer-generated, gender-balanced random computerized selection process. The remaining applicants are being put on a standby list. Government say’s that this exercise is being carried out in a transparent manner.