Hotel Ashok Gulmarg PPP Project, IIT-Linked IT & Innovation Park, Land Transfers and JKAS Promotions Receive Cabinet Nod; Brief Assembly Session Likely in September
Srinagar, Aug 5: The Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet, chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, on Wednesday approved a series of key development, tourism, infrastructure and administrative proposals aimed at accelerating growth and improving public services across the Union Territory. However, the Cabinet deferred a final decision on the proposed outsourcing of tourism assets at Mantalai in Udhampur district, seeking additional details from the concerned department before granting approval.
Reliable sources told Kashmir News Corner (KNC) that the Cabinet accorded approval for the outsourcing of Hotel Ashok, Gulmarg under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) model for a concession period of 40 years, including a five-year construction and redevelopment phase. The project is expected to modernize the tourism infrastructure in Gulmarg, attract private investment and enhance visitor facilities at one of Jammu and Kashmir’s premier tourist destinations.
In another significant decision, the Cabinet approved the establishment of an IT and Innovation Park in collaboration with the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT). The proposed project aims to strengthen the Union Territory’s technology ecosystem by promoting innovation, entrepreneurship, research and investment while generating employment opportunities for local youth.
The Cabinet, however, decided to keep the proposal relating to the Yoga and Wellness Centre and Aparna Ashram at Mantalai pending. Sources said the Council of Ministers sought further details before taking a final decision on the proposal, which envisages outsourcing the tourism assets under the PPP model for an initial concession period of 20 years, including one year for development, with the possibility of extension based on performance and mutual agreement.
The Cabinet also approved several important land transfer proposals for public infrastructure and development projects across Jammu and Kashmir. These include the transfer of four kanals of land at Hiranagar in Kathua district for the construction of a tourism cafeteria, four kanals and eleven marlas at Sonpah in Budgam district for setting up a Craft Village, and seven kanals and five marlas at Behibagh in Kulgam district for the establishment of an Army Goodwill School.
In a major administrative move, the Cabinet cleared the promotion of 29 Jammu and Kashmir Administrative Service (JKAS) officers to higher scales. The General Administration Department (GAD) is expected to issue the formal promotion orders after obtaining the required approval from Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.
Meanwhile, sources revealed that the Jammu and Kashmir Government is likely to convene a brief session of the Legislative Assembly in Srinagar during the third week of September. The proposed session is expected to continue for around 10 days, with seven to eight sittings, enabling the Government to fulfill the constitutional requirement of convening the Assembly within six months of the previous session.
Although no detailed official communiqué was issued after the Cabinet meeting, the Chief Minister’s Office stated that the Council of Ministers had taken several important decisions aimed at promoting development, strengthening governance and advancing public welfare initiatives across Jammu and Kashmir.
