Diplomat Correspondent
SRINAGAR, DD, Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo, today chaired a high-level meeting to review the preliminary roadmap of the Centre for Innovation and Transformation in Governance (CITaG), aimed at accelerating the economic growth, improving governance and reforming the planning process in Jammu & Kashmir.
The presentation, made during the meeting, highlighted significant strides in Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), governance transformation and institutional capacity building across the UT.
Besides the ACS, Planning and Tourism Departments the meeting was attended by Principal Secretary, PWD; Principal Secretary, Culture; Principal Secretary, Finance; Director, IIM Jammu; Commissioner Secretary, I&C; Commissioner Secretary, GAD; Secretary, S&T; Secretary, L&E; MD, J&K Cable Car Corporation; Representative from NHLML and other concerned officers.
The Chief Secretary underscored the significance of CITaG in framing a futuristic roadmap for all-round development of J&K. He highlighted its role in conception, identification and implementation of high impact projects in PPP mode for giving boost to key sectors like Industries, Tourism, Agriculture, Urban Planning, Handicrafts and others here.
The Chief Secretary also advised the Planning Development & Monitoring Development to take steps to acquaint all the Departments with the role of CITaG. He called for holding brainstorming sessions with these departments to have acquaintance and awareness about their collaboration with CITaG in implementation of their projects and plans.
He impressed upon the CITaG team to come up with implementation strategy for the best practices and focus on few at a time for their effective grounding. He pointed out several of the important projects that could be focussed upon initially including development of an Industrial estate in a PPP mode as there is a vast land bank created across the districts of the UT.
The other participants also gave out their suggestions to make the working of CITaG more efficient and outcomes in their departments more effective and time-bound.
Some of the suggestions which were postulated included development of sustainable tourism, solar parks, waste management, handholding and capacity building of government officials and other developmental plans.
The meeting focused on CITaG’s work since its inception, with a particular emphasis on Public-Private Partnership projects.
CEO, CITAG, Dr Sandeep, in his presentation listed out a total of 63 PPP projects representing a tentative investment of over Rs21,988 Cr. Currently, 21 of these projects are active, with 42 others on a development shelf.
The key projects under active consideration included the adaptive reuse of the historic Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex in Jammu for developing a heritage hotel, enhancing tourism infrastructure at scenic tourist destinations, establishment of a new ropeway projects and solar parks here.
The CEO confirmed that preliminary site assessment reports and stakeholder consultations are underway for these and other projects, laying the groundwork for future investment and development.
In addition to PPPs, it was divulged that CITaG’s broader mandate includes 65 deliverables spanning several key areas of governance and economic development.
The meeting reviewed progress on various initiatives, including the preparation of new PPP policy for Jammu & Kashmir, measures for increasing revenue generation, and strategies for promoting entrepreneurship and export promotion.
The Chief Secretary was also briefed on the ongoing recruitment for CITaG’s team. It was given out that the first phase of the recruitment process had been completed, with the selection of a Chief Executive Officer (CEO), four Specialists, and four Young Professionals through IIM Jammu.
The recruitment for Phase 2nd, which included positions for Specialists in Infrastructure, Social Sector, HRD, and IT, among others, is currently ongoing to be culminated till the end of this month. This expansion of the team is aimed at accelerating the implementation of the administration’s vision for a “Future Ready Governance” model here.
The review meeting concluded with a directive from the Chief Secretary to maintain the momentum on these transformative projects, reinforcing the administration’s commitment to drive economic growth and enhancing public services through strategic partnerships and innovative governance models across all the sectors in J&K.DD
