Evolve innovative measures for optimum use of custodian assets: Bukhari

Basharat Bukhari inspects Banquet Hall at Udheywala

Minister for Revenue, Relief & Rehabilitation, Syed Basharat Ahmed Bukhari today called upon the Custodian authorities  to evolve innovative measures for optimum use of custodian assets in the state so as to make it a self reliant and sustained revenue generating organization.

 The Minister said this during his visit to Udheywala, Panchwati and Chinore to take stock of various development projects being undertaken by Custodian Department.

Custodian General, Javed Khan, Assistant Commissioner Revenue, Sachin Dev Singh, AEE Custodian Mohammad Rouf, Custodian Mushtaq besides other senior officers of concerned department accompanied the Minister during the visit.

The Minister while inspecting the Modern Multi-facility Banquet Hall (EP Resort) at Udheywala instructed the concerned authorities to complete the remaining works of the project at an earliest and also make functional evening restaurant of the Banquet so that the visiting guests can avail all facilities in this State of Art Banquet.

He directed the concerned authorities to develop interiors depicting rich culture of Jammu and Kashmir and ensure quality furniture items in the Banquet Hall. He asked them to get install a fountain on terrace to make it more attractive.

Constructed at a cost of 10.77 crore on built up area of 32000 Sqft, the Modern Multi-facility Banquet Hall will have all ultra modern facilities like marriage halls, conference hall, restaurant, waiting lounge, rooms and ample parking where the people can stay and also arrange their private functions/parties on nominal rates.

The Minister was informed that the on-line booking of EP Resort has been started by the department.

The Minister stressed upon the need to explore possibilities of creating state of art public utilities on custodian land in the state. He also emphasized on envisaging projects to promote eco-tourism as such facilities would prove beneficial to generate huge revenue for the department.

Mr. Bukhari called upon the concerned functionaries to adopt pro-active approach to safeguard custodian properties in the State. He also emphasized for regular assessment of the evacuee property to ensure proper revenue realization as per the market rates. The Minister stressed on ensuring transparency and accountability in the functioning of the Department.

 During his visit to Panchwati, Chinore in Bhalwal Block, the Minister inspected the custodian land. He asked the concerned officers to conduct survey and evaluate vacant land of the department for its judicious use promoting economic growth of the department.

The Minister was apprised that 55 kanal custodian land has been allotted to Higher Education Department as additional accommodation to Government Degree College Paloura.

Later, the Minister along with Deputy Commissioner Samba Sheetal Nanda and officers of Revenue Department visited Chak Nanak in Samba district and reviewed the status of Custodian land. Deputy Commissioner apprised the Minister about the various development activities being undertaken in the district.