Minister for Industries and Commerce Chander Parkash Ganga today paid obeisance at ancient Lord Shiva temple and participated in ongoing Purmandal Mela.The three-day long Purmandal Mela is being organized by district administration Samba.Vice-Chairman J&K State Advisory Board for Welfare and Development of Other Backward Classes, Rashpaul Verma also accompanied the Minister during the visit.During the Mela, the Minister inspected various awareness camps and exhibition stalls put up by various government departments and appreciated the organizers for making sustained efforts to make this a successful event.Making a strong pitch for creating awareness among the masses about the state and centrally sponsored welfare schemes, the Minister asked the officers to ensure that the poor, women, farmers and downtrodden sections of the society get maximum benefit of these schemes.The Minister further said that the government is taking path-breaking initiatives to beautify the ancient shrine and make it one of the best pilgrim destinations in the State. Efforts are also afoot to make tourist circuit in the State, he added.People hailing from all sections of the society participated in the Mela and enjoyed the merry-go rounds and making purchases at the stalls/shops.Earlier, the holy Charri Yatra taken from Ranbireshwar temple Jammu along with large number of devotees was received by the Minister at Purmandal.Chief Executive Officer, Surinsar Mansar Development Authority Vikas Gupta, ADC Samba, Tilak Raj Sharma, President Dogra Sadar Sabha and former Minister Thakur Gulchain Singh Charak and officials from various departments also present on the occasion.