J&K Chief Secy reviews preparations for youth engagement programme

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo on Saturday chaired a high-level meeting to review departmental preparedness for the upcoming Youth Engagement & Empowerment Programme, a UT-wide initiative aimed at fostering meaningful participation of young people in cultural, educational, entrepreneurial, and community-oriented activities across all districts of Jammu & Kashmir.

The meeting was attended by several senior administrative heads and other officials.

A statement said during the meeting, the Chief Secretary sought detailed inputs from each department on their proposed activity calendars and strategies for the mega youth engagement campaign. He directed all departments to upload their comprehensive action plans on the dedicated portal created for the programme, along with details of nodal officers and date-wise reports of activities to be conducted.

Highlighting the vast potential for cultural enrichment, the Chief Secretary urged the Culture Department to design a vibrant and inclusive programme on the lines of initiatives by the Youth Services & Sports Department. He advised launching extensive cultural engagement activities in coordination with educational institutions across the UT, including poetry recitations, painting competitions, quizzes, skits, essay writing contests, and debates in schools and colleges.

Dulloo also took this occasion to highlight the role of departments like Information, YS&S, School Education, Higher Education, Skill Development and that of the Agriculture and Industries Departments for making this youth engagement programme a huge success here.

He emphasised that the programme should also serve as an opportunity to raise awareness among youth about various government employment schemes, livelihood opportunities and welfare programmes across all towns and villages of J&K.

The Chief Secretary directed that the youth engagement portal be integrated with the Government of India’s MyGov platform to enhance visibility, access and public engagement. He instructed all departments to finalise and submit their activity plans within 15 days, ensuring that the proposed calendar is comprehensive, inclusive and aligned with the overall objectives of the programme to engage youth productively from start to end of this programme.