The main function in this border district was held at District Police Line where Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA) Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali unfurled the national flag and took salute from the march past comprising the contingents of Jammu Kashmir police (JKP), Central reserve police force (CRPF), Jammu Kashmir forest protection force (JKFPF), National cadet corps (NCC), and the school children of various educational institutes of the District.Among others present on the occasion were vice chairman Pahari advisory board Kuldeep Raj Gupta, legislators Qammer Hussain, Vibodh Gupta, Mirza Abdul Rasheed, besides senior civil and police officers.Addressing the people, Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali paid rich tributes to leaders of freedom struggle and sought the cooperation of people for realizing their cherished dream of a developed and poverty free India.Highlighting the achievements registered by Indian Nation over last seventy years of Independence, he said “The cardinal principles of secularism and socialism enshrined in our constitution has assured equitable development of people irrespective of cast, colour and community”.
“We are proud to be the citizens of largest and vibrant democracy where fully flourished democratic instructions guarantee a dignified life to every citizen of the country” he noted and called upon the people to contribute sincerely to safeguard the integrity and sovereignty of the nation.He said peace is imperative for a nation to progress but in a democracy the citizens too have right to raise their voice. Referring to the unrest in valley, the Minister said that dialogue and reconciliation is the only way to settle the issues. He called upon the youth not to become tools in the hands of vested interest and jeopardize their safety, future and well being. He appealed the parents to keep close watch on their wards and help them to take right decisions. The Minister also listed the measures taken by the government to cover maximum number of deserving and eligible families under the Public Distribution System. He said the Mufti Mohammad Sayeed Food Entitlement Scheme, launched by Mehobooba Mufti led state government is ensuring adequate food grains to all eligible families.“Under the scheme additional 5 kg food grain is being provided per soul over and above the NFSA scale to BPL, PHH and NPHH” he added. The department is striving hard for bringing transparency in the distribution of food grains and to weed out pilferage and black marketing.