Srinagar, June 12, KDC: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today presided over a series of departmental review meetings to take stock of the CAPEX schemes for the year 2025-26 of Estate, Revenue, Tourism and Culture Departments.
High-level discussions were advisory of Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Advisor of Chief Secretary Atal Dullu, Additional Chief Secretary Estates Shalen Kabra, Additional Chief Secretary of Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta, Principal Secretary Finance D Vaidya, Principal Secretary Culture Brij Mohan Sharma, Commissioner Secretary Revenue Ranjav and other Senior Ranjan, other Senior Ranjan and other Senior Revenue Ranjavan.
During the review, the Chief Minister emphasized the importance of ensuring immediate approval of schemes, ensuring execution of authority and development projects of funds to strengthen institutional capacity, and create influential results.
He underlined the need for intimate monitoring, effective coordination and optimal use of resources to give public services efficiently and fulfill people’s aspirations.
Wealth department
Initially, ACS Estates informed the meeting that the department reported 94.93% expenditure (Rs 2452.34 lakh) for Capax 2024-25 (Rs 2583.19 lakh). Of the 217 total works, 182 is completed.
For 2025-26, the department has a CAPEX budget roof of Rs 10,000 lakh. This budget includes Rs 3304.69 lakh for the ongoing work, Rs 863.00 lakh for water/electricity for sempora flats, Rs 2541.00 lakh for shifting in capex and Rs 3291.31 lakh for new works and budget announcements.
400 flats in Pampor and major running projects like flats in Sarwal, Ahata Amar Singh and Lower Muthi in Jammu are progressing, some are expected to be completed by October 2025.
The meeting was informed about the major budget announcements for 2025-26, including the construction of 300 new 2-BHK/3-BHK units, twin towers on Canal Road, additional blocks in Civil Sachawas in Jammu and Jammu and Srinagar. Other new works proposed for 2025-26 include road macadamization, new flats in Jawahar Nagar, CCTV installations and power supply upgradation in various government complexes.
revenue Department
Secretary Revenue Kumar Rajiv Ranjan gave a detailed presentation underlining the schemes for the department’s Capex Pragati and 2025-26. Out of the approved 79 crore rupees, Rs 69 crore has already been uploaded on the beam portal. The department has proposed 133 new projects, with a outlay of Rs 4.5 crore in 18 SDM offices, 21 tehsil office with a outlay of Rs 6.3 crore, 50 Niabats with Rs 3 crore and 40 additional rooms with Rs 2 crore. The department continues to move forward in its historical digitization efforts, which completed 100% of the revenue records.
He reported that more than 94.36% cadustral maps have been digitized (quality tests are underway), and 89.97% of the villages have been landed. Additionally, 99.9% record (ROR) has been digitized with integrated spatial and non-sustainable data under the Land Record Information System (LRIS).
The Chief Minister was conveyed to major digital initiatives including the “Aapki Zameen Aapki Nigrani” platform launched in October 2021, which has enabled real-time access to land records, saving Rs 19.83 crore through in-house digitization.
The meeting was informed that the second phase of LRIS includes translation of Urdu land records in 22 Indian languages. Digitized land passbooks are now available in Urdu, Hindi and English. Other major initiatives include Jammu -Kashmir Revenue Court Case Monitoring System (JKRCCMS), issuing Svamitva Property Card, Computerized Registration, Dynamic RRS manufacture, digitized crop survey and installation of modern record rooms. He said that the department aims to implement real-time ROR updates, integrate Jambondis with NGDR and mutation systems, and introduce map-based dynamic ROR to increase transparency and accountability in land regime.
Tourism department
Similarly, Commissioner Secretary Tourism Yasha Mudgal presented a comprehensive observation of Capex Implementation and Future Schemes of the department. The department is coordinating its initiative in various agencies including Jammu and Kashmir, JKTDC, SKICC, JKCCC, 21 Tourism Development Officers and several golf courses. As part of its 2024-25 CAPEX plan, Rs 388.20 crore was approved, with already Rs 247.66 crore (66.08%). Of the 1,551 total functions, 871 have been completed so far, marking the entire rate of 56%.
For 2025-26, the department has planned a total of 1,071 works with a financial outlay of Rs 191.87 crore, including the money for the Shri Amarnathji Yatra.
It was also informed in the meeting that a total of 312 new projects of Rs 75.5 crore have been reviewed, while 109 projects worth Rs 18.07 crore have been finalized. The Chief Minister was informed that an amount of Rs 10 crore is reserved for the high-primaryness or technically viable works proposed by the elected representatives. Action has been initiated on several budget announcements, including Rs 10 crore for the preparation of tourism master schemes, Rs 27 crore for sewerage and solid waste management projects in Gulmarg, Rs 6 crore for the development of water sports infrastructure in major lakes, Rs 15 crore for winter sports facilities and Rs 20 crore for searching for new tourist places.
He said that plans are underway to revive passive tourism assets, improve the facilities of methods and to mud the properties made. The targets of 2025–26 include preparation of master plans for major destinations, strengthening tourism infrastructure, increasing destination development and aggressive campaigns to attract visitors.
Culture department
Similarly, Secretary Culture presented a detailed plan with the purpose of restoring heritage, modernization of infrastructure, digitization and promoting regional arts and languages. The department has completed 16 of another 46 targeted 106 Heritage Restoration Projects for completion by March 2026. A major focus on the revival of the historic Mubarak Mandi campus in Jammu has been allocated for this purpose with Rs 30.02 crore. Under Phase III of the Heritage Revival Scheme, additional 123 projects have been identified in various districts.
The department is finalizing its draft cultural policy, which will soon be kept in a public domain for consultation. In addition, efforts are underway to modernize the SPS Museum; While repair and reforms have already been completed, a revised DPR of Rs 19.80 crore has been presented to make the museum completely functional. The revival of the Tehzeeb Mahal project in Srinagar is also being actively carried forward on its original site. On the digitalization front, the department is upgrading its web portal to convenience manuscripts and important records to the AI-Adassized Collection.
To preserve and promote regional art forms, the department is organizing structured cultural programs. It aims to re -launch the publication of Sheena and Bhaderwahi languages ​​after re -advertising the positions for editors and musicians due to a poor initial response. Under the budget of Rs 132 crore for 2025-26, allotments have been made for the Archives, Archaeological and Museums, Libraries and Directorates of Research, and J&K Academy of Art, Culture and Language. The new projects include the establishment of library-cum-reading rooms and temples, forts and temples. During the last financial year, Rs 131.50 crore was allocated and Rs 27.20 crore was spent, with 10 out of 10 of the 156 projects by 31 March, 2025. Several heritage revival projects under Charan -1 were successfully completed during 2024-25.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, while appreciating the detailed plan and progress in the departments, asked for rapid and effective execution to translate the average improvement on the land.
The Chief Minister assured that his government is committed to strengthening governance, modernizing public infrastructure and accelerating inclusive growth in all areas. (KDC)
