By: Abid Bashir

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir’s lieutenant governor Manoj Sinha Monday said that the administration led by him will dole out the “New Film Policy for J&K” within ten days with an aim to bring back the golden era on the silver screen.

Addressing the two-day Conference on Tapping the Tourism Potential of Kashmir—Another Day in Paradise at SKICC on the banks of famous Dal Lake here, through virtual mode, the LG Sinha said that J&K government has almost finalized the new film policy after through deliberations with the stakeholders and the same will be announced within ten days from now.

“The policy will be out within ten days from now. The policy entails a road map on how we can bring back the golden era of 70’s and 80’s on the silver screen. We have been reading and hearing that Kashmir used to be the favorite Bollywood destinations of the film makers in 60’s, 70’s and 80’s. We as a team will work to bring back the same culture,” the LG said, adding that the policy has been framed after thorough consultations with various important stakeholders within J&K and other parts of the country. “A road map will be followed on how to bring back the golden era and film culture in Kashmir,” he said.

About the new tourist destinations, the LG said that serious efforts are on to revive the tourism and a number of new tourist destinations are being explored. “We are focusing on putting in place a better tourism infrastructure at the new tourist places so that tourists can enjoy and explore new places hassle free. For this, we have invited private players as well,” he said.

He said despite Covid-19 pandemic, Kashmir witnessed the highest number of domestic tourist arrivals than the rest of the states in India since December 2020. “This of course helped to revive the tourism in Kashmir,” he said.

He said that many steps were taken to ensure ease of travel for the tourists. “There are night flights operating from Srinagar airport. There is a direct flight from Srinagar to Bengaluru now,” the LG Sinha said as per KNO.

He said tourists are coming to Kashmir not just to explore the places, but to connect with the people of the Valley as well.

Inaugurates Centre for Invention, Innovation, Incubation and Training (CIIIT)

JAMMU: To Promote Invention, Innovation, and Incubation under the mentorship of industry pioneers and strengthen the ecosystem of entrepreneurship and skill development through Industry-Academia partnerships, Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha today inaugurated the Centre for Invention, Innovation, Incubation, and Training (CIIIT) at Government Polytechnic, Bikram Chowk established at a cost of Rs 181.56 crore.

Congratulating the officials of CIIIT Jammu and TATA technologies, the Lt Governor said that the promise that was made by him on 7th December last year, during the inauguration of CIIIT Baramulla for speedy completion of the Jammu centre, has been fulfilled.

“With the completion of this centre now, the youth of Jammu division will also get training as per the new technologies for upscaling of their skill sets. It has come at a time when the dynamics of industry requirements are changing rapidly due to continuous advancements being made in today’s global technological era”, he added

Jammu, which is known as the city of temples, will now also be identified as the City of Institutions with the establishment of IIT, IIM, Central University, AIIMS, and other educational institutions. It is one of the unique places in the country which has so many top quality institutions, he continued.

The Lt Governor said that the pace with which human power and technology is changing, it is very difficult to put in words. According to a data, every month 10 innovations are happening in the world which changes the requirements of Market. Today, engineering graduates also have to upgrade their skill sets according to the need of Market, and it is very important in industrial sector of the post covid world.

All these changes the world is undergoing are possible because of the fourth Industrial Revolution (Industry 4.0). The ways of traditional manufacturing are moving towards digital transformation in which intelligent robots, Drone, Sensors, 3D printing, Artificial Intelligence play an important role. The basis of Industry 4.0 is cyber and physical production system, where real and virtual worlds are merged and work together, he continued.

The Lt Governor said that during 2019-20, an investment of Rs 28,36,661 crore  was done in the Manufacturing sector and under campaigns of Make In India and Atmanirbhar Bharat, it is estimated that in the coming four years a total of 100 million new jobs would be created in the manufacturing sector alone which would amount to 25 % of the GDP share.

The new Industrial Scheme of Rs 28,400 crore approved by Prime Minister for J&K UT has been formulated with utmost attention to attract as many Industries as possible. This scheme will take industrial development to block-level in Jammu and Kashmir, said the Lt Governor.

The Lt Governor observed that it is for the first time that any industrial incentive scheme of the Government of India is striving for balanced industrial development across the UT. Encouraging new investment, the new scheme will also strengthen the existing industries in Jammu and Kashmir and increase their capacity.

Citing the report of the Global Innovation Index 2020, the Lt Governor said that India with strong start-up eco system is third in the world after the US and England. Under the leadership of the Prime Minister, our country has emerged as a big hub of start-ups. 70 start-ups have started in Jammu and Kashmir, he added.

Giving examples of success stories the Lt Governor made a mentioned of Akash, an alumnus of Sri Mata Vaishno Devi University who has started a company to make fuel-saving innovative products in the automobile sector with his friends. He also spoke about Vivek of Jammu who has started a company to design new types of workplaces and Ashaq of Srinagar who is working on the Robo drone.

The Lt Governor noted that CIIIT Jammu would offer 18 certified courses through its 9 competency centres in Innovation Design & Incubation; Product verification and Analysis; Product Lifecycle; Value Engineering and Benchmarking, Autonomous Connected Electrifies; Mechatronics & IOT;  Digital Manufacturing, Manufacturing execution System; and Advance Manufacturing Engineering which are vital areas to produce design engineers, product engineers.

It will help to create a large talent pool that will not only get jobs in the automotive industry, aerospace industry, manufacturing industry, electronics, and oil & gas industry but could also start their own start-ups, he observed.

Lauding the collaborative efforts of Government Polytechnic Jammu, and Tata Technologies for designing the courses, the Lt Governor observed that for the M.Tech and B.Tech graduates, they have kept 3 months training for Product Lifecycle Management. “The product Life-Cycle Management is the key driver for Industry 4.0, and is playing an important role in the digital transformation happening in all the factories of India and abroad.

He also highlighted the scope of Mechatronics and IOT course in which engineering students of Jammu will also be able to take training in smart technology, which is currently available only in a few institutions of the world.

The Lt Governor said that with an aim to eradicate the capacity constraints, the UT government is going to provide LG fellowship to 10 promising graduate students to increase our young talent pool.

With our local talent pool, we will make a modern and self-sufficient Jammu and Kashmir, added the Lt Governor.

The Lt Governor said that in the post-Covid era, new inventions and new innovations for the industry and market will emerge from Jammu and Kashmir. With training in digital technologies, our youth will help to strengthen system in service sectors like banks and post offices.

It is necessary to focus on both employment and self-employment, so that the unemployment rate can be further reduced. Now Unemployment rate in Jammu and Kashmir has come down from 16.1% in September last year to 9%. It is better than Delhi, Goa, Himachal, Rajasthan, Bihar, Jharkhand etc. and the credit goes to all sections of the society and our talented youth, added the Lt Governor

The Lt Governor congratulated the 292 students who are starting their training program from today in different courses and wished for their bright future.

Dr. Asgar Hassan Samoon, Principal Secretary Skill Development gave an overview of the overall functioning of the department. He remarked that the department received ample funding in the last year to make strides in implementation of various projects and schemes.

Er. Arun Bangotra, Principal, Polytechnic College, gave the details of students enrolled in the institution and future expansion of courses in offing.

The vote of thanks was presented by Sh Sajad Hussain Ganai, Director Skill Development Department

Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Sh. R.R Bhatnagar, Dr. Manoj Singh Gaur, Director IIT Jammu; Dr. Raghav Langer, Divisional Commissioner; Sh Anshul Garg, Deputy Commissioner Jammu; Ms Anoo Malhotra, Director, Industries & Commerce, Jammu; besides senior officials of Tata Technologies; officers of J&K UT administration  and a large number of students were present during the inauguration.

Reviews issues of water resources development and management in the UT

Jammu:  Conservation of water resources is the top priority of the J&K administration. The public should also come forward to realize its duty by understanding the importance of every drop of water.

Lieutenant Governor, Manoj Sinha  made these remarks while reviewing the issues of Water Resources Development and Management in the UT at Jammu and Kashmir Water Resources Regulatory Authority (WRRA) complex, today.

The Lt Governor said that development is necessary, but it should not happen at the cost of natural resources. “I assure all the citizens of UT that no new locality or market shall be allowed to come up on water bodies. Conservation of water resources is the top priority of the UT administration”.

The Lt Governor observed that our UT is rich in water resources, but due to unplanned development and increase in population, the availability of clean water is very much in danger and hence, the management and regulation of water resources becomes more important.

Managing water should not be a concern only of the authority or administration. The public should also come forward to realize their duty by understanding the importance of each drop of water.

Pointing to the alarming situation of reducing numbers of ponds and depleting water resources, the Lt Governor citing a survey conducted in Jammu and Kashmir in 1998 noted that there were 1248 natural water sources, rivers, ponds etc. However, during the satellite mapping of the same in 2009, this number was reduced to just 565. It is a matter of serious discussion, he added.

Underscoring the value of water and water resources, the Lt Governor called upon all those involved in the management of water resources to understand the sensitivity of the situation.

Considering our water resources as living bodies, we have put in all our efforts for their effective management using technical tools, so that we can save water resources for the future generation, he added.

The Lt Governor observed that necessary focus was not given to water resources management in Jammu and Kashmir. There have been many discussions in the past on water resources development and management, rehabilitation of rivers and lakes and flood control, but no concrete work has been done on the basis of them.

The Lt Governor noted that in Jammu and Kashmir Water Regulatory Authority was established in 2012 and a water policy was also planned in 2016-17, but could not be implemented in a scientific way. Like the authority of other states and UT, in the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, the authority had wide rights for inter-regional allocation of water, project evaluation, establishment of water tariff, etc. But still, there were many shortcomings.

Observing that all water resources are not self sustainable, the Lt Governor said that rational management is necessary for better and sustainable management of our precious water resources.

Quoting the old adage that necessity is the mother of invention, the Lt Governor said that the best water resources management done in the world is by Israel. Whether it is Drip irrigation, Advance Filtration, Water Leakage Detection, Rain Water Collection or Treatment System, all these techniques were invented by Israel. Israel has given a revolutionary contribution in water management system.

The Lt Governor also expressed his gratitude towards the Hon’ble PM for signing MoUs with a number of countries which are pioneers in Water Resources Management. Under these MoUs, technical expertise on water resources development and management is to be shared through the workshops. A number of states including Punjab, Maharashtra and Uttar Pradesh have taken the benefit of the expertise of Israel in Desalination of water bodies.

The Lt Governor asserted that with G. S. Jha as the Chairperson of the JK-WRRA, many previous issues have been resolved and with his rich experience as Chairman of Central Water Commission, much more work would happen in Water Resources Management in the UT. The Lt Governor assured all support of the UT administration to the Authority and added that sanction has been granted for filling 19 additional posts in JK WRRA.

Later, Israeli expert  Niv Pintow gave a detailed presentation on Water Resources Management and optimum development in J&K. Pertinently, Niv and the team of Mekorot Company has already done significant work in Punjab and Maharashtra in the field of Water Resources management.

The Lt Governor further informed that an MoU has also been signed with a Space agency of England to provide necessary inputs in formulation of required plans to efficiently tackle floods like the one that happened in 2014. “This is a major step and will help in providing risk forecasts in terms of casualties due to floods in the river, collapse of buildings, disruptions in infrastructure and economic losses”, he added.

Er. Ghanshyam Jha, Chairperson Jammu and Kashmir Water Resources Regulatory Authority, described the agenda of the Authority and the policy framework to improve Water Assessment, inter-sectoral allocation, regulation, enforcement, irrigation, flood mitigation and other important issues for effective management of water resources.

He also thanked the Lt Governor for creation of 19 posts in the Authority for its smooth functioning.

BVR Subrahmanyam, Chief Secretary; M.Raju, Commissioner Secretary, Jal Shakti Department; Chief Engineers and other senior officers  of  Jal Shakti Department and JK WRRA were present during the presentation.

By: Ibni Maqbool

Srinagar: Amid upsurge in COVID-19 cases, the department-related parliamentary standing committee on Health & Family Welfare has postponed its visit to Kashmir.

The 31-member panel headed by headed by Samajwadi Party Rajya Sabha member Prof Ram Gopal Yadav has put off its study visit to Kashmir.

Confirming the development, Financial Commissioner Health & Medical Education, Atul Kumar Dullo said the panel has postponed its visit due to upsurge of COVID-19 cases in the country. The panel was scheduled to visit Kashmir from April 11- 14.

Last week, the government had designated Choudhary Muhammad Yasin, Mission Director, National Health Mission, as nodal officer for coordinating all arrangements for the study visit of MP’s visit.

The number of COVID-19 cases continue to surge in India as it recorded 1.68 lakh cases in the last 24 hours, the sixth record rise in seven days, pushing the country’s caseload to over 1.35 crore.

The COVID-19 cases also continue to rise in Jammu & Kashmir as 991 fresh positive cases were reported on Monday, pushing the number of active cases to 7908, which otherwise were less than 600 around a month before.

As many as 2034 persons have died in the UT due to COVID-19 since March 2020.

Meanwhile, uncertainty also looms over Kashmir visit of parliamentary panel on Schedule Castes and Schedule Tribes, Headed by Kirit Premjibhai Solanki, MP from Gujarat, the panel is schedule to undertake a study tour of Srinagar from April 14.

Repeated attempts to know whether the panel will go-ahead with its visit proved futile as officials of Social Welfare department did not respond to repeated calls from this reporter.

In January this year, the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture visited Kashmir.

By: Nadeem Nadu

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir reported 991 fresh covid-19 cases in the last 24 hours, the second highest daily count this year, taking the overall infection tally to 139381.

There was no death reported during the time, officials said. So far 2034 people have succumbed to the virus— 752 in Jammu and 1282 in Kashmir.

499 cases were confirmed from Jammu Division and 492 from Kashmir Valley, the officials told GNS.

Providing district wise details, they said Srinagar reported 303 cases, Baramulla 53, Budgam 31, Pulwama 24, Kupwara 22, Anantnag 25, Bandipora 3, Ganderbal 12, Kulgam 10, Shopian 3, Jammu 181, Udhampur 160, Rajouri 1, Doda 0, Kathua 55, Samba 4, Kishtwar 0, Poonch 8, Ramban 1and Reasi 97.

A number of these cases were confirmed at SKIMS Soura and CD hospital.

The SKIMS cases include male (21) from Nagsari, male (27) from Manigah, male (72) from Buhipora, male (45) from Magam, female (55) from Chogal, male (65) from Nowpora, female (20) from Khangripora Khaag, female (26) from Namtihal Chadoora, male (25) from Hanjura, male (27) from Kawoosa, female (42) from Budgam, male (24) from Badshah Nagar, female (43) from Kanipora, male (23) from Gopalpora, male (24) from Saloora, male (34) from Hazratbal, female (40) from Nunar, male (18) from Tulmulah, female (15) from JNV Ganderbal, male (40) from Shuhama, female (39) from Habbak, male (45) from Botapora, male (49) from 132 Bn CRPF Sgr, male (29) from Rtc Iv Humhama, male (52) from Rtc Iv Humhama, male (53( from Rtc Iv Humhama, male (36) from Rtc Iv Humhama, male (28) from 41RR Kupwara, male (32) from 25 Bn CRPF humaham, male (45) from 25Bn CRPF Humaham, male (50) from 28Bn CRPF Zakura, male (25) from 53 Ibc Kalaroos Kupwara, male (35) from Nowshera, female (15) from Hawal, male (40) from Eidgah, female (13) from Hawal, male (45) from Lalbazar, female (48) from Lalbazar, female (32) from Hawal, male (28) from Babapora ,male (25) ftom Hawal, male (1.5) from Soura, female (61) from Lalbazar, female (38) from Lalbazar, female (58) from Buchpora, male (38) from Lalbazar, female (37) from Lalbazar, male (65) from Elahibagh, male (17) from Lalbazar, male (07) from Lalbazar, female (06) from Lalbazar, male (48) from Hawal, female (16) from Lalbazar, male (42) from Lalbazar, female (59) from HMT, male (15) from Natipora, male (40) from Habakadal, female (35) from Zakura, male (11) from Batamaloo, female (08) from Batamaloo, male (08) from Lawapora, female (19) from Bemina, female (65) from Hyderpora, male (30) from Fatehkadal, male (33) from Harwan, male (42) from Dalgate, female (57) from Rajbagh, female (30) from Safakadal, female (45) from Sgr, male (32) (NA) from Soura, female (60) from Nishat, male (50) from Bihar,female (75) from Gojiwara, female (25) from Soura, male (27) from Qamarwari, female (31) from Karanagar, male (25) from Naseembagh, female (50) from Umar colony sgr, female (12) from Soura, female (70) from Ishbar Nishat, male (60) from Handwara, male (65) from Lalbazar, female (47) from HMT, male (29) from Rainawari, female (30) from Khaniyar, male (32) from Karanagar, female (10) from Karanagar, male (50) from Dalgate, male (62) from Naseem Bagh, male (42) from Dooru,male (73) from Budgam, female (24) from HMT, male (30) from Safapora, male (65) from Sgr, female (22) from Karanagar, male (21) from Malikpora and female (21) from Bagi Mehtab.

The CD cases include female (33) from Zakura, female (10) from Nigeen, female (50) from Rangpora, male (31) from NA, female (19) from Lal Bazar, female (11) from Zakura, male (26) from Rangpora, male (14) from Nigeen, female (50) from Rangpora, female (30) from Nigeen, female (70) from Shalimar, female (45) from Rohmoo, male (40) from Mitrigam, two males (19, 25) from Rohmoo Bongam, female (18) from Gudoora, male (60) from Sanzwathura, male (13) from Dangerpora, male (68) from Pakharpora, female (35) from Chiraripora, female (24) from New Colony, female (25) from Poshwan, male (21) and female (70) from Telengam, three males (27, 36, 44) from Central Workshop Pampore, female (25) from Frestbal Pampore, female (10) from Lethpora, male (58) from Puchal, female (28) from Natipora, male (38) from Nishat, female (37) from Saimoh, male (32) from Hafoo, male (32) from Nanar, female (75) and male (19) from Karan Nagar, female (70) from Saderbal, male (34) from Safakadal, male (42) from Eidgah, female (37) from Hyderpora, female (27) from NA, male (65) from Handwara, male (NA) from Srinagar.

Moreover, they said, 418 more COVID-19 patients have recovered—43 from Jammu Division and 375 from Kashmir Division. There are 7908 active cases—2788 in Jammu division and 5120 in Kashmir Valley. (GNS)

New Delhi: With 1,68,912 fresh infections in the past 24 hours, India’s COVID-19 tally has surged to 1,35,27,717, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare said here on Monday.

Also, the 904 deaths were reported in the same period taking the death toll to 1,70,179.

Maharashtra continues to remain the worst-affected state with 63,294 new cases and 349 deaths in the last 24 hours.

The state is followed by Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh.

Delhi also witnessed the highest single-day spike with 10,774 new COVID-19 cases and 48 deaths reported.

As per the Ministry, the active cases in the country currently stand at 12,01,009, while 1,21,56,529 people have recovered from the disease.

The national Covid-19 recovery rate has fallen below 90 per cent.

A total of 10,45,28,565 people have been administered the Covid-19 vaccine since the vaccination drive began on January 16, the Ministry said.

According to Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), 25,78,06,986 samples were tested up to yesterday, which includes 11,80,136 samples tested yesterday.

Srinagar:  Iltija Mufti, daughter of former Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti on Monday tested positive for COVID-19.

This information was given by Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) president Mehbooba that her daughter Iltija has been advised self isolation.

Taking to micro-blogging Twitter vice chairperson of the Peoples Alliance for Gupkar Declaration (PAGD) Mehbooba said “ Want to confirm media reports that my younger daughter Iltija tested positive for COVID today. As advised by doctors she is now self isolating & taking all the necessary precautions.

Iltija was tweeting on behalf of her mother Mehbooba when she was under detention since August 5, 2019 when centre abrogated Article 370, 35 A and divided the erstwhile state into two Union Territories (UTs).

Mumbai: Rising Covid cases along with movement restrictions and fears of another potential lockdown spooked investors leading to the biggest sell-off of 2021.

Accordingly, the new cases count has crossed 1.5 lakh for the first time on April 11.

This spooked investors and led the S&P BSE Sensex and NSE Nifty50 to crash by around 3.5 per cent each.

Notably, majority of sectors ended in deep red with massive selling being witnessed in PSU banks, followed by media, realty, private banks, financials, metals, auto, infra and energy.

Besides, India VIX spiked by 16.25 per cent from 19.78 to 22.99 levels.

Global cues also remained mixed amidst absence of any fresh trigger and caution ahead of start of earnings season.

Furthermore, rupee weakened to a more than eight-month low of 75.14 against the dollar.

At the end of the day, Sensex close at 47,883.38, lower by 1,707.94 points or 3.44 per cent from its previous close of 49,591.32.

The Nifty50 on the National Stock Exchange traded at 14,310.80, lower by 524.05 points or 3.53 per cent from its previous close.

“India’s benchmark indices slumped to a 10-week low as daily Covid-19 infections surged. Investors remained worried about the economic fallout of the fresh surge in coronavirus cases and the subsequent restrictions announced by several state governments,” Deepak Jasani- Head of Retail Research at HDFC Securities.

“These developments could jeopardise the market’s assumption of around 11 per cent GDP growth and above 30 per cent Nifty earnings growth. Advance decline ratio plunged to the lowest since February 28 suggesting the amount of panic in the broader markets.”

According to Siddhartha Khemka, Head – Retail Research, Motilal Oswal Financial Services: “Worries over surging Covid-19 cases in the country led to fears of lockdown and additional curbs which dampened sentiment. Numerous restrictions have been imposed by several states to curb the sharp rise in virus cases which could have an impact on the economic activity and slowdown the recovery anticipated.”

“Prolonged vaccine supply issues and possibilities of lockdown in Maharashtra could further aggravate the situation. Infact Nifty Bank turned negative for the year 2021 after today’s fall.”

In addition, Vinod Nair, Head of Research at Geojit Financial Services said: “Further implementation of lockdowns and all-time high covid cases have dragged the market to a monthly low.”

“This is expected to impact the economic growth of Q1fy23, more than thought earlier. Implications to the banking and discretionary sector are presumed to be the highest, drifting market to defensives like IT, Pharma and FMCG. This trend may happen for a couple of trading weeks, down a few weeks covid cases are likely to reduce, bringing growth back.”

Jammu: Central Administrative Tribunal, Jammu Bench, on Monday quashed selection list of the Sub Inspector (Executive and Armed) in J&K Police prepared in pursuance to advertisement on 30 December 2016.

“The fallacy in the selection procedure adopted by the (officials) can be best demonstrated by the fact that 275 vacancies  were advertised in Executive Wing in open merit whereas 310 persons have been selected,” a bench of Rakesh Sagar Jain, Member (J) And Anand Mathur, Member (A).

The tribunal rejected the reply by officials that the extra selection of 35 candidates belongs to the other categories and vacancies in which categories have been corresponding reduced.

“The procedure adopted by the official respondents is in violation of the settled law that ‘The entire reservation quota will be intact and available in addition to those selected under open competition category’.”

The applicants, as per GNS, had stated that vide advertisement (Pers-A-400/2016/75303-403) dated 30-12-2016, applications were invited for posts of Sub Inspector (Executive/Armed Wings) in J&K police.

The applicants had stated the 35 appointments were made illegally, arbitrary and unjustifiably and consequently it blatantly disturbed the category wise breakup of posts as notified in the advertisement notice.

They said it violated the notified preference cum merit criteria as also Rule 7 of the J&K Special Recruitment Rules, 2015, notified vide SRO 202 of 2015 dated 30-06-2015. The applicants through their counsel had sought direction to the officials to consider them and consequently treat them as selected/appointed against the post of Sub Inspectors (Executive/Armed) in J&K Police in the pay scale of Rs. 9300-34800 +(4240/-= Grade Pay).

Srinagar: Asserting that Government of India (GoI) is making all efforts to tap the tourism potential of Jammu and Kashmir, Union Minister of State for Tourism and Culture, Prahlad Singh Patel on Monday said after abrogation of Article 370 and other subsequent measures taken with respect to the tourism sector the number of tourists visiting here has increased and this has made us think of giving a makeover to the already existing tourism places here.

The Union Minister made these comments while addressing the tourism conference titled, ‘‘Tapping the Potential of Kashmir: Another day in Paradise’, at S-K International Convention Centre (SKICC) on the bank of Dal Lake.

He said that to improve the flow of tourists into Jammu and Kashmir, this conference has been organised wherein all the stakeholders have been invited to meet, discuss and give suggestions to create better tourism infrastructure in entire J&K.

Patel while expressing his satisfaction over the improving number of tourists thronging Kashmir from past one year, said, ‘I think after the abrogation of Article 370 and other subsequent developmental works taken with respect to the tourism sector the number of tourists visiting here has increased and this has made us think of giving a makeover to the already existing tourism places here’.

Speaking on the occasion, Advisor to Lieutenant Governor, Baseer Khan said that after COVID pandemic, we did lot of activities to restore tourism activities here. Several webinars and various strategies were adopted in this direction.

He said that today I can proudly say of what we made as a humble beginning has started to yield results as there was a sudden spurt of influx of tourists in winters in Kashmir and also in Jammu which encouraged us to go a bit further more and in the depth of the winter, tourism was its one of the highest best, there was no place vacant in Kashmir even the houseboats were booked. This gave me satisfaction that tourism has revived in Jammu and Kashmir.

I convened many sessions with all my officers and from the right guidance from the office of LG and able support from Union Ministry of Tourism.  We have been able to give it a further push for the coming summers, I can assure that another 3-4 months when entire country will be blistering with temperature the tourist coming to this place will increase manifold and it will give impetus to our economy.

Since we have the best planners, who have dealt with tourism over the years and they have bundle of experience behind them to actually conceptualise ways and means to tackle and manage tourism in J&K and also explore further means ushering new directions and identifying new destinations that could be included in order to show our tourists our new products.

So far as new destinations are concerned the Govt of J&K has finalized a long list of destinations that we are going to include in our long list of tourism map and then showcase it.

He said under Swadesh Darshan and PRASAD Scheme a number of projects have been taken up and many of these projects are at the verge of completion. The private players have to come forward to do the handholding to the UT Govt and help in creating better infrastructure.

Union Secretary Tourism said that we have been striving hard since the pandemic to help revive tourism in J&K, the efforts in revival started in winters and the process will continue in summers especially the for the domestic tourist and it should set an example as and when we open up the visa for international tourists.

Secretary Tourism, J&K, on the occasion highlighted some of the historical tourism sites in J&K and the importance they hold in the tourism map of J&K. He said a visit to J&K is a great experience all year round and all the four seasons have something unique to offer.

Additional Director General, Ministry of Tourism GoI, presented the welcome address. She said that domestic tourism is growing leaps and bounds here and time has come to discuss what products we have to offer and the products that we need to work on.

She said the need of the hour is to showcase quality products including Golf, Culinary tourism, heritage, Neolithic sites and Arts and Crafts besides religious tourism.

Secretary General FICCI, Dilip Chinoy and Chairperson, FICCI Travel, Tourism and Hospitality Committee and CMD the Lalit Suri Hospitality Group, Jyotsna Suri also spoke on the occasion and gave their insights about the tourism of J&K and ways and means to improve it further.

Earlier, Director Tourism Kashmir, Dr G N Itoo presented a PowerPoint presentation on potential of tourism in Kashmir, wherein he showcased the number of tourist destinations in J&K.

Among others, the event was attended by Union Tourism Secretary, Arvind Singh, Secretary Tourism, J&K, Sarmad Hafeez, Additional Director General, Ministry of Tourism GoI, Rupinder Brar, Secretary General FICCI, Dilip Chinoy, Chairperson, FICCI Travel, Tourism and Hospitality Committee and CMD The Lalit Suri Hospitality Group, Jyotsna Suri, besides others.

The Ministry of Tourism, Government of India in association with the Tourism Department of J&K, Federation of Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industries (FICCI) and the Indian Golf Tourism Association (ITGA) had organised the tourism conference here.

The objective of the event was to showcase the Myriad tourism products of the UT of J&K and promote J&K tourism as the destination for leisure, adventure, eco, wedding and MICE tourism.