Demand for VIP passes high,shrine board has placed more print orders this year

In states like Maharashtra,a fierce debate is raging on to do away with special arrangements for a selected few. Every year,the shrine board sets up three separate entry and exit points for people,differentiating them on the basis of their strata. Requests for these special passes usually come from bureaucrats and politicians who want it for their families and extended families.

Last year,shrine board officials claimed to have given around 2,500 VVIP and 5,000 VIP passes for the first day of the Navratras. While some were picked up by junior officers or helpers,other had to be posted. While officials are reluctant to reveal the exact number of passes they will be issuing this year,saying it is an ongoing process,they agree the demand has increased over the years.

“We have been inundated with requests for VVIP and VIP passes from politicians and bureaucrats and have sent a large number of them for printing. But we are in no way encouraging disparity among people. It is just that some people don’t have time to wait for hours in a queue,” said Ashima Brar,deputy commissioner.