Holiday on Kabir Jayanti

Deputy Chief Minister Tara Chand today said Coalition Government is working on the roadmap for all out development of all regions and sub-regions of the State and exemplary steps have been taken for ushering the State into a new era of development and progress.

He described Public Service Guarantee Act (PSGA), Sher-e-Kashmir Welfare and Employment Programme for the Youth (SKEWPY) and strengthened Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), as some of the landmark initiatives taken by the Government in the last three years for the welfare of the people.

Mr. Tara Chand was addressing a public rally cum convention at Marh.

Minister of PHE, Irrigation and Flood Control Taj Mohi-ud-Din and Minister of State for Co-operatives, Industries and Commerce Dr. Manohar Lal Sharma also addressed the gathering. Ex-MLA Balwan Singh conducted proceedings of the rally.

Among others the function was attended by Director, ULB, Jammu F.C Bhagat, Commissioner, JMC Kuldip Lal Khajuria, Chief Engineer, PWD, PHE and PDD and other senior sectoral officers of various departments.

Recalling contributions of Mahatma Gandhi in promoting Panchayati Raj, the Deputy Chief Minister said successful Panchayat elections have proven the commitment of the Government for strengthening grass root democracy in the State. He said the Government has gone step further, by devolution of power to the Panchayats and empowering these institutions for required development of respective areas.

On the occasion, a number of demands were projected for sympathetic consideration of the Government, which inter alia include, Kabir Jayanti holiday, special recruitment drive for border area of Marh and de-silting of irrigation canals.

Responding to the vociferous demand of holiday on the Kabir Jayanti, Mr. Tara Chand informed that in Cabinet meeting prior to the budget cabinet, headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah the long pending demand has been addressed and the cabinet has agreed to declare it as restricted holiday.

"Recognizing the contributions of great Bhakti movement saint Bhagat Kabir, for establishing an egalitarian society, the State Government has accepted demand of the community for holiday on Kabir Jayanti," he added.

Underscoring commitment of the Government for welfare of downtrodden segments of the society, the Deputy Chief Minister said reservation has been given a legal status and special provision has been kept for these sections in inter-district recruitment in the State, adding that reservation in recruitment for the marginalized would be provided all across the state.