Authorities in Jammu and Kashmir today asked educational institutions not to arrange picnic of students to the famous hill resorts of Pahalgam and Sonamarg - the twin routes to the holy cave shrine of Amarnath.
The direction was issued to both government and private educational institutions by School Education Department to allow smooth conduct of the nearly two-month long pilgrimage, scheduled to begin later this month.
"In view of the ensuing Amarnath Yatra, the heads of government and private educational institutions are put to strict instructions that they should desist from sending the students on excursion and picnic to Pahalgam and Sonamarg," an official spokesman said quoting Joint Director School Education, Kashmir.
The spokesman said in respect of other picnic spots, prior permission must be obtained from concerned Zonal Education Officer and Chief Education Officer in case of the elementary schools and High and Higher Secondary Schools, respectively.
He said it should be ensured by the head of the institutions that the excursion and picnics are conducted carefully.
"Violation of instructions shall be viewed seriously," he said.
