Reviews impact, progress of HADP
SRINAGAR, AUGUST 12: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo Tuesday chaired a high-level meeting with senior officers from the civil administration and Police to review preparedness for the maiden edition of the Khelo India Water Sports Festival (KIWSF) 2025, scheduled to be held on the iconic Dal Lake from 21st to 23rd August.
Calling the event a unique opportunity to project Kashmir’s multifaceted charm on a national platform, the Chief Secretary emphasised that the festival must be converted into a grand celebration of local tourism, handicrafts, art and culture. He directed the Handicrafts & Handloom Department to organise top-class exhibitions, highlighting the region’s rich craftsmanship to the visitors expected during the event.
The Chief Secretary noted that the timing of the festival coinciding with the peak tourist season in Srinagar has offered an ideal occasion to create lasting impressions on visiting the athletes, officials and spectators. He asked the Youth Services & Sports Department to ensure flawless conduct so that the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports considers Srinagar as a regular venue for the festival in the years ahead.
Reviewing arrangements in detail, the Chief Secretary took stock of venue readiness, sports infrastructure, boarding and lodging facilities for athletes, security measures and branding and publicity.
He directed all the concerned departments like that of Tourism, PDD, Jal Shakti, Traffic, Hospitality & Protocol, Civil Aviation, Airports Authority, LCMA, Handicrafts & Handloom, SDRF, Health and Fire & Emergency Services to deliver their responsibilities with the highest standards of efficiency.
Commissioner Secretary, Youth Services & Sports, Sarmad Hafeez, while informing the meeting about this festival said that the department aims to position Srinagar as the “Sports Capital of India” and make it a regular annual affair.
Secretary, Sports Council, Nuzhat Gul, briefed that coordination committees have been formed for different functional areas, with a dedicated State Liaison Officer (SLO) assigned to each team for their information and smooth facilitation.
Meanwhile, the Chief Secretary conducted an extensive review of the progress, impact, and implementation status of all 29 schemes under the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) across the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir.
The meeting was attended by Principal Secretary, Agriculture Production Department (APD); Managing Director, J&K Bank; Managing Director, HADP; Deputy Commissioners; and Heads of Departments from the Agriculture sector.
During the review, the Chief Secretary took detailed stock of district-wise achievements, urging the concerned departments and Deputy Commissioners to maintain momentum and avoid any slackness that could jeopardize the gains made so far. He directed the MD, HADP to maintain close coordination with HoDs and DCs to ensure timely achievement of annual targets.
He observed that the five-year HADP has the potential to transform J&K’s agriculture and horticulture sectors into sustainable, reliable, and highly profitable ventures, thereby enhancing farmer incomes, generating youth employment, and unlocking the region’s full agri-horti potential. He stressed the need for a “whole-of-government” approach to achieve the ambitious goals within stipulated timelines.
