CM Omar Abdullah to Lead Independence Day Celebrations at Bakshi Stadium; Ministers Assigned District Functions

JAMMU: The Jammu and Kashmir Government has finalized arrangements for the 79th Independence Day celebrations across the Union Territory, assigning Chief Minister, Deputy Chief Minister, Cabinet Ministers and senior officials to preside over functions at various district headquarters. As per an order issued by the General Administration Department (GAD) on Monday, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah will lead the main Independence Day celebrations at Bakshi Stadium, Srinagar. He will unfurl the National Flag and take the ceremonial salute during the event. Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary has been assigned to preside over the celebrations in Jammu district, while Health and Medical Education Minister Sakeena Masood Itoo will lead the function in Anantnag. Jal Shakti, Forest, Ecology & Environment and Tribal Affairs Minister Javed Ahmed Rana has been assigned Poonch, while Agriculture Production, Rural Development & Panchayati Raj Minister Javid Ahmad Dar will preside over the celebrations in Baramulla. Food, Civil Supplies & Consumer Affairs, Transport and IT Minister Satish Sharma will lead the Independence Day function in Kathua. Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani has been assigned Kupwara district. The GAD order stated that Deputy Commissioners will preside over Independence Day functions in all other district headquarters and take the ceremonial salute. At the sub-divisional level, Sub-Divisional Magistrates (SDMs) will lead the celebrations, while Tehsildars or senior-most civil officers will preside over functions at tehsil, block and municipal headquarters as decided by the respective Deputy Commissioners. The order has been circulated to all Administrative Secretaries, Director General of Police, ADGP (CID), Principal Secretary to the Lieutenant Governor, Deputy Commissioners and other concerned authorities for ensuring smooth and successful conduct of the 79th Independence Day celebrations across Jammu and Kashmir.