CS launches ‘Info Connect’ – a monthly chronicle of J&K’s progress

IT initiatives to improve services assessed

Excelsior Correspondent

SRINAGAR, May 5: In a significant stride towards enhancing Government-public communication, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo today unveiled the first edition of ‘Info Connect’, a monthly magazine published by the Directorate of Information & Public Relations (DIPR).
The release ceremony was held in the presence of Commissioner Secretary, Information and GAD, M. Raju, and Director, Information & PR, Nitish Rajora.
‘Info Connect’ aims to present a comprehensive account of the developmental milestones, policy initiatives, and noteworthy events shaping the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir. Designed as a rich repository of authentic information, the magazine offers citizens a window into the evolving socio-economic landscape of the region.
Applauding the initiative, the Chief Secretary hailed the publication as a much-needed platform for disseminating accurate and timely information about the UT. He emphasized that the magazine should not only report government activities but also spotlight key sectors such as tourism, trade, industry, infrastructure, and innovation.
Stressing the importance of regular and consistent outreach, the Chief Secretary advised that the magazine become a permanent feature of DIPR’s public communication strategy. He noted that such efforts bridge the gap between the administration and the people, creating a dependable channel to inform citizens about various schemes, services, and ongoing projects that affect their daily lives.
Commissioner Secretary M. Raju commended the DIPR team for the timely and well-curated publication, calling it a “powerful tool to counter misinformation and portray the true picture of development in the region.” He encouraged the department to ensure continuous improvement in content quality and prompt dissemination to maximize public awareness and impact.
Sharing insights into the magazine’s layout and editorial vision, Director Information & PR, Nitish Rajora, highlighted the magazine’s role in integrating traditional and modern outreach channels to keep citizens informed and engaged. He reiterated the Department’s commitment to using every available platform to build trust and transparency between the government and the public.
The launch of ‘Info Connect’ marks a new chapter in the government’s mission to cultivate an informed and participatory citizenry, reinforcing the values of transparency, inclusivity, and good governance in Jammu & Kashmir.
Meanwhile, Chief Secretary chaired a high level meeting to review the status of various Information Technology (IT) initiatives being undertaken across departments in Jammu and Kashmir with the active technical support of Bhaskaracharya National Institute for Space Applications and Geo-informatics (BISAG-N).
During the meeting, the Chief Secretary took stock of the ongoing IT initiatives aimed at enhancing service delivery and improving user interfaces to ensure ease of access for the end users. He acknowledged the critical role of BISAG-N in supporting Government’s efforts towards digital empowerment and appreciated their continued collaboration.
Dulloo emphasized the importance of strengthening the synergy between BISAG-N and the UT Government, calling for sustained cooperation to achieve new benchmarks in IT infrastructure development and public service delivery. He directed all the concerned departments to proactively share relevant data and information to facilitate timely upgrades and improvements in digital services.
Reviewing establishment of the proposed Centre of Excellence in Emerging Technologies, the Chief Secretary enquired about the progress made, including finalization of the Detailed Project Report (DPR) and the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the stakeholders. He called for expediting efforts to operationalize this centre at the earliest.
Among key digital initiatives, the Chief Secretary reviewed the progress on rebranding of JK Samadhan public grievance portal (Samadhan 2.0). He also reviewed the integration of KYC and Single Sign-On (SSO) systems across government services; development of a portal for digitization of cadastral maps and revenue records to enable its real-time updation during different land transactions.
The Chief Secretary took notice of the GIS-based land bank initiative being jointly developed by the Revenue, Industries and Forest Departments with technical assistance from BISAG-N to support sustainable developmental and ecological planning.

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