Kathua celebrates 80th Independence Day with patriotic fervour
Blazing Tales News Service
KATHUA, AUGUST 15: Kathua celebrated the 80th Independence Day with patriotic fervour at the Sports Stadium Kathua, where Minister for Food, Civil Supplies and Consumer Affairs (FCS&CA), Information Technology, Youth Services and Sports, and Science and Technology Satish Sharma hoisted the National Flag and took the salute at an impressive ceremonial parade.
The march-past featured contingents of the Police, security forces, Forest Department, National Cadet Corps (NCC) and school students. The ceremony witnessed the participation of MLA Kathua Bharat Bhushan, Deputy Commissioner Kathua Rajesh Sharma, SSP Kathua Mohita Sharma, senior civil and police administration officials, ex-servicemen, prominent citizens, students and local residents.
After inspecting the parade, Satish Sharma extended Independence Day greetings to the people of Kathua and Jammu and Kashmir. He paid tribute to freedom fighters, martyrs and soldiers guarding the country’s frontiers, particularly those who made the supreme sacrifice in defence of the nation.
Describing Kathua as a frontier district and a sentinel of the nation, the Minister lauded the courage, resilience and contribution of its people.
Focus on balanced development
Satish Sharma said the government, under the leadership of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, remained committed to ensuring balanced development and equitable opportunities across Jammu and Kashmir.
He stressed that the development of Jammu was integral to building a stronger Jammu and Kashmir and a stronger India.
Highlighting development works in Kathua, the Minister said more than Rs. 70 crore had been allocated under the District Capex Budget 2026-27 for 2,079 works covering 16 sectors. Of these, he said, 1,978 works had already been taken up.
He said the government was focusing on strengthening basic infrastructure and ensuring that development benefits reached people across the district.
Food security and consumer welfare
On food security and consumer welfare, Sharma highlighted the progress made under the SMART Public Distribution System.
He said ration cards had been 100 per cent digitised, Aadhaar seeding had reached near-total levels and e-KYC was progressing rapidly.
He said Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households were receiving 35 kg of free foodgrains every month, while Priority Households were being provided 5 kg per person. These measures, he said, were benefiting more than one crore beneficiaries across Jammu and Kashmir.
The Minister also highlighted the deployment of 20 mobile testing vans and intensified market inspections to safeguard consumers. Measures were also being taken to check hoarding and overpricing and ensure proper implementation of consumer welfare measures.
Women, transport and accessibility
On the transport sector, Sharma said free travel for women in government-run buses had been introduced to improve mobility and enhance their dignity and access to public transport.
He further informed that 200 new buses were being added to the government transport fleet.
The Minister said steps were also underway to modernise vehicle fitness testing facilities and provide free ridership for persons with disabilities.
He also informed that applications were being processed for establishing a modern vehicle scrapping centre in Kathua.
Satish Sharma said the government’s development agenda was focused on improving public services, strengthening infrastructure, empowering youth and women, supporting vulnerable sections and ensuring equitable growth across Jammu and Kashmir.
The Independence Day celebrations in Kathua concluded with a renewed emphasis on development, welfare and strengthening the spirit of national service in the frontier district.
