Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA) and Information, Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali, today said Government is committed to provide all basic amenities to people living in the far flung areas.The Minister, who is on a two-day visit to Gurez and Tulail, said this while addressing a public gathering at Davar in Gurez area.Highlighting Government’s concern for people especially living in far off areas, the Minister said since Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti has come from grassroots level, she understands the issues of people better.The Minister said the welfare of people living in far flung areas is one of the primary concerns of CM who has issued strict directions for ensuring people in the far flung areas never face any kind of scarcity of basic amenities. While highlighting new initiatives taken for uplift of people living in remote areas, the Minister said the CM keeps on seeking update regarding the ongoing developmental steps taken for the welfare of the people living in far flung areas.
The Minister said he was personally keen on visiting Gurez and Tulail areas so that he could get first-hand knowledge of the issues faced by people here.The Minister also announced to add up 5000 population of the area in BPL category. The area so far had 19000 people falling under the category, and with the addition, the number have now gone up to 24000. He also announced opening up of new 30 Fair Price Shops in the area.Regarding the issue of scarcity of food grains in the area, the Minister announced increase in the upper limit of 35 kgs of ration to 50 kgs given to BPL families under Mufti Mohammad Syed Food Entitlement Scheme (MMSFES) for Gurez area.Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali also directed Director FCS&CA Kashmir to prepare and distribute 10000 pamphlets among the people to raise awareness about the rights of people in the area.Later, the Minister also held a meeting with officers meeting, where he appreciated FCS&CA for doing a commendable job in the region. He directed the concerned officers to make frequent visits to the area so that people here do not face any kind of inconvenience.Later the Minister also visited to tehsil Tulail.The Minister during his visit was accompanied by Secretary FCS&CA Shafiq Ahmad Raina, Director FCS&CA Kashmir Nissar Ahmad Wani, ADC Bandipora, SDM Gurez and other concerned officers.