CS reviews draft PPP Policy, seeks robust framework

Srinagar, Jul 17: Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Thursday reviewed the preliminary draft of the proposed Public-Private Partnership (PPP) Policy and called for a robust institutional framework to attract private investment and accelerate infrastructure and public service development in Jammu and Kashmir.

The policy is being formulated by the Planning, Development & Monitoring Department through the Centre for Innovation, Technology and Governance (CITaG). The meeting was attended by senior officers, including Administrative Secretaries of key departments, Director IIM Jammu and the CEO of CITaG.

Emphasising effective implementation, the Chief Secretary stressed the need for capacity building of officers and officials at all levels to ensure the policy is executed in a time-bound manner. He directed the Industries Department to take the lead in refining the draft by incorporating suggestions received during the meeting and finalising the policy within a month.

Dulloo said the government should lead by example in implementing the policy to build confidence among investors and the public. Referring to global best practices, he suggested developing a framework on the lines of the World Bank’s STEP model, suitably adapted to Jammu and Kashmir’s administrative and developmental needs.

He also asked CITaG to identify a pipeline of viable PPP projects across sectors and establish an institutional mechanism for their timely execution once the policy is notified.

Additional Chief Secretary, Finance, Shailendra Kumar, said the policy aims to leverage private investment for creating public assets and improving service delivery while remaining aligned with J&K’s specific developmental priorities.

During the meeting, CITaG presented the proposed policy framework, highlighting the need for a transparent and investor-friendly system with streamlined regulatory approvals and a coordinated institutional mechanism for appraisal, approval, monitoring and implementation of PPP projects.

The draft identifies sectors such as urban infrastructure, solid waste management, agriculture, food processing, energy, power, tourism, hospitality and healthcare as key areas for private participation.

Administrative Secretaries and Heads of Departments offered suggestions to strengthen the policy, with the meeting concluding on a consensus to further refine the draft into a comprehensive framework aimed at boosting private investment, infrastructure development and sustainable economic growth in Jammu and Kashmir.