India, June 17 -- Union Minister Jitendra Singh on Tuesday said all arrangements, including security, have been put in place for the smooth conduct of the annual Amarnath Yatra, which begins early next month. Singh expressed confidence that the pilgrimage, scheduled to start on July 3, will be successful.

"The yatra this time is for a longer duration, and the administration has taken care of everything, including from the security point of view. We are confident that the yatra will be very successful," the minister told reporters here.

The remarks from Singh, who is the Minister of State for Personnel, Public Grievances and Pensions, came following the inauguration of the 59th Pre-Retirement Counselling Workshop organised by the Departm...