Jharkhand cabinet seeks national fair tag to 'Shravani Mela'

The Jharkhand Cabinet on Tuesday approved a proposal to request the Centre to accord a 'national fair' tag to the annual 'Shravani Mela' of the state.

The decision was taken during a Cabinet meeting, presided over by Chief Minister Raghubar Das, in this temple town ahead of the 'Shravani Mela', an official release said.

Beginning July 17, the month-long fair at the Baidyanath temple here attracts lakhs of devotees from across the globe.

Earlier during a meeting, Das asked officials of the Baba Baidyanath Dham and Basukinath Dham Pilgrim Area Development Authority to ensure cleanliness during the fair.

Deoghar should be recognised as an international religious and cultural tourist destination, he said.

Das called upon the officials concerned to ensure fool-proof fire safety at the temple, deployment of National Disaster Response Team (NDRF) besides civic and health amenities for the pilgrims.

The chief minister also announced construction of a community building, an anganwadi centre and a public toilet at a leprosy ashram here.