Varanasi: The state cabinet’s decision to establish Directorate of Religious Affairs (DRA) in Varanasi will bring the first state-level office of a government department to this holy city.
UP minister of state (independent charge) for religious affairs and tourism, Neelkanth Tiwari said various reasons prompted the state government to take the decision of opening DRA office in Varanasi.
“Since time immemorial, Kashi has remained the spiritual centre, cultural capital, the seat of learning, birth and workplace of many legends besides being a cosmopolitan city. These characteristics of Kashi played a key role in the government making up its mind to establish this directorate here,” the minister told TOI.