Srinagar, Aug 4: The Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet on Tuesday approved a series of key proposals aimed at strengthening tourism, technology, public infrastructure and administrative governance across the Union Territory.
Official sources informed KNC that the Cabinet accorded approval for outsourcing the operations and maintenance of the iconic Hotel Ashok, Gulmarg under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model. The project will be executed under a 40-year concession period, which includes a five-year construction and redevelopment phase, with the objective of reviving the long-pending tourism asset and enhancing hospitality infrastructure in the premier tourist destination.
Sources said the decision follows the history of the project dating back to 1984, when the Jammu and Kashmir Government had leased around 64 kanals of land to the India Tourism Development Corporation (ITDC) for construction of the hotel. However, the corporation could not complete the project within the stipulated period, following which the land along with the incomplete structure was returned to the Tourism Department.
In another significant decision, the Cabinet approved the establishment of an IT and Innovation Park in collaboration with IIT Jammu, a move expected to promote innovation, entrepreneurship, research and technology-based employment opportunities in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Cabinet also sanctioned the transfer of government land for several public utility and development projects across different districts. These include four kanals of land at Hiranagar in Kathua district for the construction of a cafeteria, four kanals and 11 marlas at Sonpah in Budgam district for establishment of a Craft Village, and seven kanals and five marlas at Behibagh in Kulgam district for setting up an Army Goodwill School.
Meanwhile, the Cabinet also approved the promotion of 28 Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) officers. According to sources, nine officers have been promoted to the Special Scale, while 18 officers have been elevated to the Selection Grade, as part of the government’s efforts to strengthen administrative functioning and career progression within the civil services.
The approvals are part of the government’s broader strategy to accelerate tourism development, improve public infrastructure, encourage investment in the technology sector and enhance administrative efficiency across the Union Territory.(KNC)
