Administrative Council approves Houseboat Policy; transfers land for Kendriya Vidyalayas, transit accommodation for Kashmiri Migrant Govt employees

Precious Kashmir News
Jammu, Apr 8: The Administrative Council (AC) which met under the chairmanship of Lieutenant Governor, G C Murmu approved policy guidelines for registration/renewal/operation of houseboats in Dal and Nigeen Lake.
The Administrative Council decided that the guidelines should conform to the overall framework of Dal conservation framed by the Lakes and Waterways Development Authority (LAWDA) besides, an appropriate legal framework would be also instituted for enforcing the policy.
The decision will help to regulate the functioning and operation of houseboats in both the water bodies and to preserve the lake for future generations by adopting sustainable tourism, preventing pollution of the lake besides, providing conducive and pleasant atmosphere for tourists, on one hand, sustainable source of living for the houseboat owners/shikara wallas and other stake holders on the other hand.
Complying with the directions of the High Court and suggestions made by the Committee of Experts (CoE) on Dal/Nigeen Lake, the Government has taken this step for conservation of the two lakes. This move will also address the environmental concerns and give a further push to the ongoing activities relating to preservation and conservation of the lakes.
Under the guidelines, the houseboats owners will be able to register/renew their houseboats after fulfilling certain general conditions. The guidelines also provides constitution of Advisory Committee to be headed by Director Tourism, Kashmir to identify areas of concern for securing use of houseboats for enhancing tourist influx and Regulatory Committee to look after registration/renewal process and overall regulation of functioning of the houseboats.
As per the policy guidelines, no new houseboat shall be allowed to be constructed in Dal/Nigeen Lake. The provision of categorization of houseboats based on the facilities has also been made in the guidelines.

Land transferred for establishment of Kendriya Vidyalaya, Kupwara; Transit accommodation for Kashmiri Migrant Govt employees to be established in Shopian
The Administrative Council (AC) accorded sanction to the transfer of Shamilat (Kahcharai) land measuring 40 kanals situated in village Drugmulla in District Kupwara to the School Education Department for establishing Kendriya Vidyalaya, Kupwara.
The Administrative Council also accorded sanction to the transfer of 40 kanals of land to the Department of Disaster Management, Relief, Rehabilitation and Reconstruction for establishing transit accommodation for Kashmiri Migrant Government Employees under PM Package in village Deegam in District Shopian.

2 Centres for Invention, Innovation, Incubation and Training to be set up in J&K
The Administrative Council (AC) also accorded sanction to the establishment of two Centres for Invention, Innovation, Incubation and Training (CIIIT) in Jammu and Kashmir.
The Centre in Kashmir division shall be established at Government Polytechnic, Baramulla and the location for establishment of CIIIT in Jammu division shall be finalized soon.
The move is aimed at providing skill training to students of Engineering Colleges, Polytechnic Colleges and ITIs besides, the unemployed Engineering Degree/Diploma holders and Engineering Graduates who are employed but in need for career enhancement through up-gradation of latest technological skills.
This project will be an industry-led consortium as a joint venture between Government of J&K and Tata Technologies to facilitate innovation and skill development of students, industry professionals for skill development and creating entrepreneurships.
Through this project, Tata Technologies have proposed to introduce 18 courses and many other subsidiary courses with an annual intake capacity of 2880 students/professionals receiving training and skill development.

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