Chief Secy reviews functioning of S&T deptt

Jammu, Nov 18: Chief Secretary, Atal Dulloo Tuesday reviewed the functioning of the Science & Technology Department and called for accelerated efforts to advance J&K’s transition to green energy, expand renewable infrastructure, and strengthen science education and research among students.
The meeting was attended by Secretary S&T, Dr. Shahid Iqbal Choudhary, CEO JAKEDA P.N. Dhar, and senior departmental officers.
The Chief Secretary assessed the progress on small and mini hydropower projects and reviewed key renewable initiatives including the solarization of government buildings and the implementation of the PM-KUSUM scheme along with dozens of other initiatives taken by the department to promote clean energy and innovation across the UT.
The Secretary S&T, Dr Shahid Iqbal Choudhary informed that JAKEDA is working toward solarizing more than 8,000 government buildings with a cumulative capacity of 245 MW. It includes 70 MW under CAPEX across 30 departments and 175 MW under the RESCO model. He added that work orders for 1,300 buildings have been issued, while completed installations include the 10 kW system at TRC Kupwara and the 3 MW plant at the University of Kashmir.
On agricultural empowerment through PM-KUSUM, the Chief Secretary was informed that the scheme has recorded near-total success with all 4,224 applications allotted and 3,586 solar pumps installed, achieving an 85% completion rate. The intervention has enhanced irrigation reliability, replaced nearly 8.5 million litres of diesel annually, and enabled savings of Rs 20,000–Rs 30,000 per farmer per year.
With respect to the Small/Mini hydro initiative the Secretary apprised the meeting that the department is also expanding the initiative rapidly, with 35.25 MW operational in IPP mode and a total portfolio of 188.75 MW. The same includes 153.5 MW under development across 81 projects.
Upcoming projects include 4.65 MW scheduled for commissioning in 2026 and 49.70 MW in 2027–28. At full capacity, the hydro portfolio is expected to generate more than Rs110 Cr annually in revenue and create over 1,200 direct and indirect jobs.
The Department is further advancing decentralized renewable solutions, including 15,000 biomass cook stoves, 25,000 solar streetlights, a 100 kW floating solar pilot, and EV charging stations.
Moreover a strict 120-day roadmap has been formulated to retender the remaining 152.75 MW RESCO capacity across 6,700 buildings and to complete installation of the remaining 638 pumps under PM-KUSUM to achieve 100% saturation.
Reviewing the functioning of the Jammu & Kashmir Science, Technology & Innovation Council (JKSTIC), the Chief Secretary was briefed on major initiatives to strengthen the research ecosystem and scientific infrastructure.
Under the Sponsored Research & Extension Programme (SREP), 77 research projects were approved in 2025 with funding of Rs775 lakh across over 20 premier institutions including 40 projects in Jammu and 37 in Kashmir, covering nine key thematic areas such as AI/IoT, agriculture and climate resilience, biotechnology, energy, and water systems.
The Secretary also presented progress on the establishment of critical scientific infrastructure. Two Industrial Biotech Parks with a total investment of Rs84.66 Cr are under development, with the Kathua park fully complete in civil works and the Handwara park 70% complete slated to be completed by April, 2026.
The meeting was apprised that Sub Regional Science Centre (SRSC) in Srinagar, being established at a cost of Rs 18.2 Cr, has achieved 75% progress. Work on the Rs 2.76 Cr Science Innovation Dissemination Centre (SIDC) had begun in November 2025 and will serve as an innovation, incubation, and technology dissemination hub, as,was given out in the meeting.
In the domain of science outreach and human resource development, it was informed that JKSTIC conducted 120 IEC and public engagement events in FY 2024–25 with 99.97% fund utilization, including 42 science competitions and 18 teacher-training workshops. The council also awarded 125 merit scholarships in 2024–25 and plans to award 130 scholarships in the current fiscal year, the meeting was apprised.
The Chief Secretary urged the department to adhere to timelines, and ensure measurable outcomes to accelerate J&K’s renewable energy growth and strengthen the scientific landscape across the length and breadth of the UT.