Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 12: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today chaired a series of departmental review meetings to take stock of the Capital Expenditure (CAPEX) plans for the year 2025-26 of the Estates, Revenue, Tourism and Culture departments.
The high-level discussions were attended by Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary Estates Shaleen Kabra, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta, Principal Secretary Finance Santosh D Vaidya, Principal Secretary Culture Brij Mohan Sharma, Commissioner Secretary Tourism Yasha Mudgal, Secretary Revenue Kumar Rajiv Ranjan and other senior officials and heads of concerned departments.
During the review, the Chief Minister emphasized the importance of ensuring immediate approval of plans, authorization of funds and execution of development projects thereby strengthening the institutional capacity, and creating impactful outcomes.
ACS Estates informed the meeting that the Department reported a 94.93% expenditure (Rs 2452.34 lacs) for CAPEX 2024-25 against funds released (Rs 2583.19 lacs). Out of 217 total works, 182 have been completed.
For 2025-26, the department has a CAPEX budget ceiling of Rs 10000 lacs. This budget includes Rs 3304.69 lacs for ongoing works, Rs 863.00 lacs for water/electricity for Sempora flats, Rs 2541.00 lacs for shifting REVEX to CAPEX, and Rs 3291.31 lacs for new works and budget announcements.
Major ongoing projects like the 400 Flats at Pampore and flats in Sarwal, Ahata Amar Singh, and Lower Muthi in Jammu are progressing, with some expected to be completed by October 2025.
Secretary Revenue Kumar Rajiv Ranjan gave a detailed presentation outlining the department’s CAPEX progress and plans for 2025-26. Out of the approved Rs 79 crore, Rs 69 crore has already been uploaded on the BEAMS portal. The department has proposed 133 new projects, including 18 SDM offices with an outlay of Rs 4.5 crore, 21 Tehsil offices with Rs 6.3 crore outlay, 50 Niabats with Rs 3 crore, and 40 additional rooms with lavatories worth Rs 2 crore.
He informed that over 94.36% of cadastral maps have been digitized and 89.97% of villages have been geo-referenced. Additionally, 99.9% of Record of Rights (RoR) have been digitized with spatial and non-spatial data integrated under the Land Records Information System (LRIS).
Commissioner Secretary Tourism Yasha Mudgal presented a comprehensive overview of the department’s CAPEX implementation and future plans. The department is coordinating its initiatives across various agencies which include directorates of tourism in Jammu and Kashmir, JKTDC, SKICC, JKCCC, 21 tourism development authorities, and several golf courses. As part of its 2024-25 CAPEX Plan, Rs 388.20 crore was approved, with Rs 247.66 crore (66.08%) already spent. Out of 1,551 total works, 871 have been completed so far, marking a 56% completion rate.
For 2025-26, the department has planned 1,071 total works with a financial outlay of Rs 191.87 crore, including funds for Shri Amarnathji Yatra.
Secretary Culture presented an elaborate plan aimed at heritage restoration, infrastructure modernization, digitization, and promotion of regional arts and languages. The department has completed 16 out of 106 heritage restoration projects, with another 46 targeted for completion by March 2026. A major focus is on the revival of the historic Mubarak Mandi Complex in Jammu, with Rs 30.02 crore allocated for the purpose. Under Phase III of the Heritage Revival Scheme, an additional 123 projects have been identified across various districts.
The department is finalizing its draft Cultural Policy, which will soon be put in public domain for consultation. Simultaneously, efforts are underway to modernize the SPS Museum; while repairs and improvements are already completed, a revised DPR worth Rs 19.80 crore has been submitted for making the museum fully functional.
Chief Minister while commending the detailed planning and progress in the departments, called for swift and effective execution to ensure that projects translate into measurable improvements on the ground.
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