Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA) and Tribal Affairs, Chowdhary Zulfkar Ali today reiterated Government’s resolve to uplift the marginalized sections of the society and informed that various efforts are being made for resolving the problems being faced by the people belonging to these sections.The Minister was speaking during the Foundation Day celebrations of Jammu and Kashmir Reserve Categories Employees Association (JKRCEA) at Gujjar Charitable Trust here. The function also marked the celebrations of the ‘Constitution Day’.Deputy Speaker, Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly Nazir Ahmed Gurezi, Vice Chairman, State Advisory Board for Development and Welfare of Scheduled Castes Bushan Lal Dogra and MLA Javed Ahmed Rana were also present on the occasion.While addressing the gathering, the Minister said the community has given various IAS and IPS officers, reputed doctors, engineers, teachers and many other officers to the society that are rendering their valuable services in different fields.Appreciating the steps taken by Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti for the welfare of marginalized sections, the Minister said that she is well aware of the problems being faced by the community and is working day in and day out to raise the living standards of the people of the state especially those belonging to SC, ST and OBC communities.
The Minister appealed the doctors belonging to Gujjar community to visit their native villages and far-off areas to organize medical camps for the welfare of the people belonging to poorer sections of the society.During the programme, various eminent speakers threw light on the life and mission of Architect of Indian Constitution, Dr. B.R Ambedkar and gave a clarion call to the downtrodden sections of society to be aware of their rights. President JKRCEA, Dr. Sanjay Bhasin and other office bearers of the Association also presented a memorandum of demands to the Minister and sought their early redress.Meanwhile, the Minister and other dignitaries felicitated the members belonging to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribe and Other Backward Classes who have done exemplary service in their respective fields.Among others, heads of various socio-religious groups, retired employees, youth and students besides representatives of JKRCEA participated in the programme.Earlier, a deputation of Gujjar and Bakerwal Employees' Association of Poonch led by Mohammad Asad Noomani called on the Minister and submitted a memorandum of demands including construction of Gujjar Bhawan and modernization of Gujjar Hostel at Poonch. The Minister instructed Director, Tribal Affairs to take necessary on the demands raised by the deputation.