Srinagar, July 17, 2026 : Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Friday chaired a high-level meeting to review the best governance practices adopted by leading states such as Maharashtra and Gujarat, with an emphasis on identifying reforms that can be effectively implemented in Jammu & Kashmir to further strengthen Ease of Doing Business (EoDB) and Ease of Living.
The meeting was attended by Administrative Secretaries and senior officials from various government departments, who deliberated on strategies to accelerate governance reforms and create a more investor-friendly and citizen-centric administrative framework across the Union Territory.
At the outset, officials presented detailed overviews of governance and regulatory reforms implemented by Maharashtra and Gujarat. The presentations highlighted successful initiatives including simplification of regulatory procedures, reduction in compliance burdens, end-to-end digitisation of government services, strengthening of single-window clearance systems, rationalisation of inspections, decriminalisation of minor regulatory offences, investor facilitation mechanisms, time-bound service delivery, and technology-driven governance.
The meeting also reviewed reforms introduced under the Business Reform Action Plan (BRAP), District BRAP, deregulation initiatives, and the Jan Vishwas framework, all aimed at improving the business climate while ensuring greater administrative efficiency.
Reviewing the presentations, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo observed that Jammu & Kashmir has already undertaken significant governance reforms over the past few years. However, he stressed that the Union Territory must now accelerate administrative transformation by adopting proven national best practices tailored to its own governance requirements.
He emphasized that reforms aimed at improving Ease of Living should go hand in hand with economic reforms by ensuring hassle-free access to public services, reducing procedural delays, and enhancing citizen satisfaction.
The Chief Secretary called for immediate attention to rationalisation and whitelisting of services, simplification of regulatory procedures, decriminalisation of minor offences, and necessary amendments to relevant Acts, Rules, and regulations to create a more transparent, efficient, and investment-friendly ecosystem.
Addressing senior officers, Dulloo said sustained governance reforms directly contribute to increased investor confidence and higher investment inflows. He noted that several States and Union Territories have already emerged as national leaders in governance reforms and service delivery, adding that Jammu & Kashmir should proactively adopt successful models rather than duplicating efforts.
He observed that the country offers numerous successful governance models that can be adapted to local requirements, enabling the Union Territory to accelerate reforms while ensuring better outcomes in a shorter time.
The Chief Secretary directed the Centre for Innovation, Transformation and Governance (CITaG) to conduct a comprehensive assessment comparing reforms already implemented in Jammu & Kashmir with those adopted by leading states. He instructed the organisation to prepare a detailed roadmap identifying existing gaps, prioritising future reforms, and outlining a clear implementation strategy.
Highlighting the importance of an investor-centric governance model, Dulloo stated that reforms must be designed from the perspective of entrepreneurs and investors rather than government departments. He stressed that compliance procedures should become simpler, approvals faster, and service delivery more transparent and efficient.
He further directed CITaG to formulate a comprehensive, time-bound action plan with measurable milestones and outcomes. The organisation was also asked to maintain close coordination with authorities in Maharashtra and Gujarat to gain deeper insights into their reform strategies and institutional mechanisms so that the most effective practices can be successfully adapted for Jammu & Kashmir.
The meeting concluded with a consensus that adopting proven governance models from across the country, while tailoring them to local needs, would significantly strengthen institutional efficiency, enhance investor confidence, and advance the Government’s vision of achieving higher standards of Ease of Doing Business and Ease of Living in Jammu & Kashmir.
