Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs, Choudhary Zulfkar Ali today flagged off Baba Budha Amarnath Yatra from AT Ground Rajouri in presence of Kuldeep Raj Gupta, Vice Chairman, State Advisory Board for Development of Pahari Speaking People.District Development Commissioner Rajouri, Shabir Ahmed Bhat, DIG Police Rajouri-Poonch range, Johny William and SSP Rajouri, Rajeshwar Singh were also present on the occasion.The Yatra will culminate on Shravan Purnima falling on August 18 after the last batch of pilgrims perform darshan at holy temple located in tehsil Mandi of district Poonch.While appreciating the role of all communities in successful conduct of the Yatra every year, the Minister maintained that Jammu and Kashmir is known for its tradition of amity and communal harmony.Also applauding the efforts of all the departments for making Yatra arrangements, the Minister exhorted upon the officers to work with great zeal and put in concerted efforts so as to provide the Yatris with best possible services.
He said foolproof security and logistic arrangements have been put in place for the Yatra.Later, the Minister convened a meeting to review the progress of developmental works going on in the district.Assistant Commissioner Development apprised the Minister that under convergence plan 109 foot bridges and culverts have been taken up, out of which 15 culverts and 12 foot bridges have been completed and work is going on for the rest. Similarly in convergence with the horticulture department two nurseries have been taken up and under MGNREGA, against a proposed outlay of Rs 77 crore, Rs 33 crore has been released which have been used for generating the employment for the unemployed rural youth of the district.The Minister exhorted upon all the officers to work with a missionary zeal so that the proposed developmental projects could be completed well in time and the people of the district get benefited. Deputy Commissioner Rajouri Shabir Ahmed Bhatt Additional Deputy Commissioner Rajouri Mumtaz Choudhary Assistant Commissioner Development, Executive engineers of PHE, PDD besides others were also present in the meeting.