At Budgam, Minister for Agricultural Production, Ghulam Nabi Lone Hanjura, unfurled the national flag and took salute at March past by contingents of JKP, JKAP, CRPF, Home Guards, NCC and of school students at the main function, held at Sports Ground Budgam. Deputy Commissioner, Mohammad Harun Malik, SSP Tajinder Singh and senior officers of the district attended the function, besides a large number of locals also turned up to the venue to witness the march past parade.Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti led PDP-BJP government was committed to overall development of the state. He said that efforts are on to address the genuine issues of the public and the Government was taking steps to reach out to the youth positively.He said that from the issues of illiteracy to unemployment all the youth-related issues were under due consideration of the Government to address them with introducing job-oriented initiatives and schemes in the state.
“The government gave amnesty to revert the cases of over 9000 youth, who was involved in law and order issues, and has announced to provide jobs to the pellet hit victims,” the Minister said.Terming the unrest of 2016 as the unfortunate period for the State, the Minister said that former Chief Minister Mufti Mohammad Sayeed forged an alliance with the BJP for peaceful resolution of Kashmir. He said that government is putting in concerted efforts to achieve these developmental goal to move the state on path of peace and progress. “Now we can see that PM has shown his seriousness towards the resolution of Kashmir and appointed an interlocutor for initiating talks on Kashmir,” he said. He said that for the resolution of Kashmir and overall development of the State, the state government was trying to create a peaceful atmosphere.He said that people should cooperate with the Government for peace and development. “This land has been home of saints and Sufis. We should live in brotherhood and harmony with each other as our elders have lived here,” he said.On the occasion, different cultural programmes were presented by school students who mesmerized the audience with their scintillating performances.SHO Budgam, Mohammad Rafi was also rewarded for his meritorious service and other media persons were felicitated for their services. Besides students were also felicitated for their excellence in academics and sports. Meanwhile, the day was also celebrated with nationalist fervour at Subdivision and Tehsil levels of the district.