“Gathering, attended by high-ranking officials including ACS for Forests, Principal Secretary for APD, Divisional Commissioners for Kashmir and Jammu, Secretaries for R&B and Revenue, Deputy Commissioners, and Chief Engineers of PWD, focused on evaluating project timelines and developments. Dulloo stressed the importance of adhering to project schedules, directing close monitoring by Divisional and District administrations to ensure timely completion”.
Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo of Jammu and Kashmir is spearheading transformative initiatives aimed at propelling the region towards economic growth and sustainable development. From revitalizing tourism by exploring new destinations to fostering a robust ecosystem for entrepreneurship, his leadership underscores a proactive approach to enhancing livelihoods and infrastructure across Jammu & Kashmir. Dulloo stands as a catalyst of transformation. His vision extends beyond administrative duties, weaving together threads of economic resurgence and cultural revival across this picturesque Union Territory. From the snow-capped peaks of Gulmarg to the bustling markets of Jammu, Dulloo’s leadership navigates a path toward sustainable growth, propelling Jammu and Kashmir into a promising new era.
Revitalizing Tourism; A Vision for New Destinations: CS Atal Dulloo recently chaired pivotal meetings to review a proposal by the Tourism department aimed at securing World Bank funding through the Union Ministry of Tourism. Over the next 4-5 years, the proposal focuses on developing new tourist destinations across both divisions of Jammu and Kashmir. These destinations, currently underexplored yet rich in potential, will feature integrated circuits encompassing adventure, nature, leisure, pilgrimage, and eco-tourism activities. Emphasizing the need to reduce overcrowding at popular sites, Dulloo advocates promoting lesser-known destinations, particularly targeting high-end and niche tourism. The meetings highlighted plans to leverage existing infrastructure, improve connectivity, and ensure essential amenities like medical and sanitation facilities. Initiatives such as paragliding, ziplining, camping, skiing, trekking, mountaineering, rafting, and canoeing are also outlined to attract tourists year-round, focusing on sustainable development and comprehensive destination management.
Advancing Infra; Monitoring Highway Developments: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo recently led a pivotal meeting involving key stakeholders from NHAI, NHIDCL, BRO, Beacon, and Project SAMPARK to review the progress of critical National Highway projects spanning Jammu and Kashmir. This gathering, attended by high-ranking officials including ACS for Forests, Principal Secretary for APD, Divisional Commissioners for Kashmir and Jammu, Secretaries for R&B and Revenue, Deputy Commissioners, and Chief Engineers of PWD, focused on evaluating project timelines and developments. Dulloo stressed the importance of adhering to project schedules, directing close monitoring by Divisional and District administrations to ensure timely completion. Discussions covered various projects, including the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway and the Ring Road Jammu, with crucial segments like the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) and the Srinagar Ring Road nearing completion. The meeting also addressed infrastructure projects like the Khanabal-Pahalgam Road (NH-501), Rafiabad-Trehgam Road, Magam-Surankot Road, and ongoing flyover constructions at strategic locations. Strategic initiatives such as the Jammu-Akhnoor elevated corridor and the Tawi 4th Bridge-Satwari-Airport-Miran Sahib-RS Pura-Suchetgarh Road were also discussed to enhance regional connectivity and reliability. Emphasis was placed on critical developments like the Z-Morh and Zojila tunnels, essential for year-round accessibility to key tourist destinations.
Empowering Entrepreneurs;Catalyzing Employment Opportunities: Under Dulloo’s leadership, a comprehensive meeting was convened to discuss a visionary document by the Department of Labour & Employment, aimed at fostering entrepreneurship to generate significant employment opportunities in Jammu and Kashmir. Participants included key figures from various departments and institutions such as IIM Jammu and IUST. Dulloo emphasized creating an enabling environment for entrepreneurship across all levels, advocating for a meticulously planned strategy involving opportunity identification, capacity building, credit linkage, and sustained support for enterprise viability. The initiative integrates entrepreneurship into educational curricula, encouraging youth to explore sustainable employment avenues. Financial incentives such as equity provisions, interest subvention, and revolving funds were proposed to bolster enterprises. The meeting deliberated on the Yuva Udyami Vikas Abhiyan (YUVA), targeting nano, micro, and small enterprises through cultural development, capital infusion, and market linkages. The initiative aims to create job opportunities for approximately 500,000 youth in Jammu and Kashmir, fostering collaboration with financial institutions for sustainable ventures. Discussions also focused on promoting handicrafts and MSMEs in collaboration with the World Bank, highlighting investment plans under the RAMP initiative to formalize the sector and enhance growth prospects. Initiatives to support artisans through skill enhancement, credit access, and global market integration underscored efforts to revitalize traditional crafts and bolster economic competitiveness.
“Sustainable tourism development remains a cornerstone, focusing on expanding tourism offerings while ensuring environmental conservation and balanced growth. Efforts will continue to enhance infrastructure projects, particularly in improving regional connectivity through effective project management and timely resolution of logistical challenges. Concurrently, Dulloo’s emphasis on fostering entrepreneurship and employment opportunities, such as through the Yuva Udyami Vikas Abhiyan, underscores a commitment to empowering local youth and small businesses.”
Ensuring Transparent Governance; Strengthening CSCs: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo has initiated proactive measures towards realizing the vision of Digital India by expanding Common Services Centers (CSCs) across government offices in Jammu and Kashmir. This initiative aims to enhance public access to seamless online services by establishing new touch points in offices ranging from Deputy Commissioner to College and University campuses. Under his directive, Deputy Commissioners have allocated space for new CSCs, overseen by Additional Deputy Commissioners as nodal officers to streamline implementation. Currently, the Union Territory operates 13,081 active CSCs, including PACs and FPSs, under the Digi-Seva Portal. To ensure affordability and transparency, rigorous monitoring and audits by the IT Department are conducted to prevent overcharging. Deputy Commissioners, also Chairpersons of District e-Governance Societies (DeGs), enforce government-notified rates within their districts, safeguarding public interests. Prompt actions on complaints have led to the cancellation of 664 CSC licenses in the past year, reinforcing adherence to government service charges. Looking ahead, efforts are focused on ensuring widespread awareness of service rates among Village Level Entrepreneurs (VLEs) and enhancing CSC operational efficiency through certified mechanisms, ensuring seamless service delivery to the public.
Kashmir Horizon View: Moving forward, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo’s strategic direction for Jammu and Kashmir hinges on several pivotal areas. Firstly, sustainable tourism development remains a cornerstone, focusing on expanding tourism offerings while ensuring environmental conservation and balanced growth. Efforts will continue to enhance infrastructure projects, particularly in improving regional connectivity through effective project management and timely resolution of logistical challenges. Concurrently, Dulloo’s emphasis on fostering entrepreneurship and employment opportunities, such as through the Yuva Udyami Vikas Abhiyan, underscores a commitment to empowering local youth and small businesses. Moreover, advancing digital governance initiatives via CSCs aims to streamline public service delivery, ensuring transparency and affordability. Strengthening institutional capabilities and fostering collaborative partnerships with stakeholders further solidifies efforts towards inclusive growth and sustainable development in the region. Through these strategic pillars, Dulloo aims to navigate Jammu and Kashmir towards a resilient and prosperous future.
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