The scope on mule owners’ grievance on the Vaishno Devi pilgrim route – they have lost traditional business due to various reasons – seemed to have been enlarged at the Supreme Court on Wednesday(August 1) when senior advocate Mukul Rohatgi, appearing for appellants Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board, said that mules are used at various other places as well, such as Mussoorie, Kedarnath, Shimla etc. he said it was a larger issue.

The tribunals in this regard relates to rehabilitation of the mule owners in a humanitarian manner. The rehabilitation plan which has been prepared by the State of Jammu and Kashmir had been discussed by the cabinet for consideration and approval. It was during the discussion of the cabinet that it was brought to its notice that the Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine Board declined to part with any funds for the rehabilitation of the mule owners on the ground that a new track is inaugurated and they do not require

their services as it is supposed to be motorable.

Today, the bench of Justices Madan B Lokur and Deepak Gupta

directed the state advisory council to prepare a plan with the consultation of all the stake holders and come with the court with concrete plan.

Matter has been adjourned for four weeks.

—India Legal Bureau