CM reviews functioning of Hospitality & Protocol deptt

Jammu, Nov 19: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Tuesday called on Hospitality & Protocol Department to focus on the optimal utilization, upgradation, and renovation of departmental assets both inside and outside Jammu and Kashmir.
He stated this while chairing a review meeting of the Hospitality and Protocol (H&P) Department here at Civil Secretariat today.
The meeting was attended by Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary to Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta, Commissioner Secretary H&P Rashmi Singh, Director H&P, and other concerned officers. During the meeting, Commissioner Secretary Rashmi Singh gave a detailed presentation on department’s assets, including those located outside Jammu & Kashmir, such as properties in Delhi, Chandigarh, Amritsar, and Mumbai.
The Chief Minister reviewed the functioning and status of prominent properties, including those in Chanakyapuri, 5-Prithvi Raj Road and Rajaji Marg in Delhi, emphasizing the need to fully utilize these assets and upgrade facilities to enhance their utility.
The chief minister Omar Abdullah also directed focused efforts on properties at Pahalgam, Gulmarg, Srinagar, Udhampur, and Jammu, ensuring these are used efficiently and maintained to high standards.
Discussions during the meeting covered revenue realization, rate revision, and facelifting of prized properties, particularly 5-Prithvi Raj Road in New Delhi.
The Chief Minister called for the creation of new assets at strategic locations within and outside J&K to meet future needs and generate additional revenue.
Abdullah also directed immediate renovation and upgradation of the Banquet Hall in Srinagar, including improvements to the audio system, furniture, bathrooms, and other amenities.
He stressed the importance of fire safety measures and fire audit in properties especially heritage sites where invaluable items are stored, ensuring these assets are protected against potential risks.
The meeting also addressed the augmentation of existing assets, strengthening manpower to fill up various categories of posts and revisiting recruitment rules to improve efficiency and operational capabilities of the department.
The Chief Minister reiterated the importance of maximizing the potential of H&P assets while ensuring their upkeep and modernization to reflect the government’s commitment to efficiency and resourcefulness.