SRINAGAR: 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 economic growth, improving governance, and reforming the planning process in Jammu & Kashmir.
The presentation during the meeting highlighted key achievements in Public-Private Partnerships (PPP), governance transformation, and institutional capacity building across the Union Territory.
The meeting was attended by ACS, Planning and Tourism Departments, along with Principal Secretaries of PWD, Culture, and Finance; Director, IIM Jammu; Commissioner Secretaries of I&C and GAD; Secretaries of S&T and L&E; MD, J&K Cable Car Corporation; a representative from NHLML; and other concerned officers.
The Chief Secretary emphasized CITaG’s pivotal role in framing a futuristic roadmap for the all-round development of J&K. He highlighted its contribution to conceiving, identifying, and implementing high-impact projects in PPP mode to boost key sectors such as Industries, Tourism, Agriculture, Urban Planning, and Handicrafts.
He directed the Planning Development & Monitoring Department to familiarize all departments with CITaG’s role and organize brainstorming sessions to enhance awareness and collaboration in implementing projects and plans. He also advised the CITaG team to focus on developing an effective implementation strategy, prioritizing a few initiatives at a time. Projects suggested for initial focus included the development of industrial estates in PPP mode, leveraging the vast land bank across districts.
Other participants shared suggestions to improve CITaG’s efficiency and ensure time-bound outcomes in their respective departments. Recommendations included sustainable tourism, solar parks, waste management, capacity building of government officials, and other developmental initiatives.
The meeting reviewed CITaG’s work since its inception, with particular focus on PPP projects. CEO Dr. Sandeep presented a total of 63 PPP projects, representing a tentative investment of over Rs 21,988 crore. Of these, 21 projects are currently active, while 42 remain on a development shelf. Key active projects include the adaptive reuse of the Mubarak Mandi Heritage Complex in Jammu into a heritage hotel, enhancement of tourism infrastructure, establishment of new ropeway projects, and solar parks. Preliminary site assessments and stakeholder consultations are underway for these initiatives.
Beyond PPPs, CITaG’s mandate includes 65 deliverables across key areas of governance and economic development. The meeting also reviewed progress on initiatives such as a new PPP policy for J&K, revenue generation measures, and strategies to promote entrepreneurship and exports.
The Chief Secretary was briefed on CITaG’s ongoing recruitment. Phase one of recruitment, through IIM Jammu, resulted in the appointment of a CEO, four Specialists, and four Young Professionals. Phase two, currently underway, includes positions for Specialists in Infrastructure, Social Sector, HRD, IT, and other areas, with completion expected by month-end. This expansion aims to accelerate the administration’s vision of a “Future Ready Governance” model.
Concluding the meeting, the Chief Secretary directed the CITaG team to maintain momentum on these transformative projects, reinforcing the administration’s commitment to driving economic growth and enhancing public services through strategic partnerships and innovative governance across J&K.
