Jammu, Aug 5 (JKNS): The Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet on Tuesday approved a series of key tourism, infrastructure and administrative proposals, including outsourcing of Hotel Ashok in Gulmarg, establishment of an IT Innovation Park in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), and allotment of land for several public projects.
The Cabinet also indicated that a brief Legislative Assembly session is likely to be held in Srinagar in the third week of September, official sources told news agency JKNS.
According to sources, the Cabinet meeting, chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at the Civil Secretariat in Srinagar, lasted about one and a half hours and cleared almost the entire administrative agenda placed before it. However, it sought additional details regarding the proposed outsourcing of assets at Mantalai in Udhampur district before taking a final decision.
Sources said the Assembly session is expected to last around 10 days with seven to eight sittings and will be convened before October 4 to meet the constitutional requirement of holding a session within six months of the previous one, which concluded on April 4.
The Cabinet reviewed a proposal to outsource the Yoga and Wellness Centre and Aparna Ashram at Mantalai through the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode for an initial concession period of 20 years, extendable by another 10 years subject to performance. While the outsourcing proposal remains under consideration, the Cabinet has sought further details before forwarding it for the Lieutenant Governor’s approval.
Among the major approvals, the Cabinet gave the green signal for establishing an IT Innovation Park in Jammu and Kashmir in collaboration with IIT. It also approved the outsourcing of Hotel Ashok in Gulmarg through the PPP mode for a period of 40 years, including a five-year construction period.
The Cabinet also approved several land allotment proposals for developmental projects. Four kanals of land have been allotted to the Tourism Department for construction of a cafeteria and allied infrastructure at Hiranagar in Kathua district. The Industries and Commerce Department has been allotted four kanals and 11 marlas for establishing a Craft Village at Sonpah in Budgam, while the School Education Department has been allotted seven kanals and five marlas for setting up an Army Goodwill School at Behibagh in Kulgam district.
In addition, the Cabinet cleared the promotion of 29 Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) officers. The General Administration Department is expected to issue formal promotion orders after obtaining the approval of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.
The Chief Minister’s Office, in a post on X, said the Council of Ministers had taken several important decisions concerning development and public welfare during the meeting but did not disclose further details. (JKNS)
