J&K Budget Session: CM Omar Abdullah Announces Time-Bound, Simplified Registration for Tourism Sector

JAMMU, Feb 05, 2026 – Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today assured the Legislative Assembly that the Jammu and Kashmir government is overhauling the regulatory framework for the tourism industry to ensure a more transparent and efficient business environment.

Replying to a starred question during the ongoing Budget Session, the Chief Minister revealed that the Tourism Department is currently revising the outdated Jammu and Kashmir Tourist Trade Rules of 1978.

The goal is to replace the nearly 50-year-old guidelines with a modernized, user-friendly system that streamlines the registration and renewal of hotels, guest houses, homestays, and travel agencies. This revision aims to reduce procedural delays and enhance the “ease of doing business” across the Union Territory’s primary economic sector.

The Chief Minister emphasized that all tourism-related approvals now fall under the Public Services Guarantee Act (PSGA), ensuring that applicants receive their registrations within a strict 30-day window upon completing the required formalities.

To further minimize manual intervention and the scope for malpractice, the government is exploring innovative reforms such as self-declaration mechanisms and deemed approvals, where permissions are automatically granted if not processed within the stipulated period.

This digital-first approach covers the entire tourism ecosystem, including Shikaras, houseboats, and transport operators, ensuring that the benefits of a streamlined system reach every stakeholder from border areas to urban hubs.

Addressing local concerns, CM Omar Abdullah also informed the House that efforts are underway to reopen tourist areas that were closed following the Pahalgam attack.

He confirmed that the matter is being discussed with the Government of India and will be a key agenda item during the Union Home Minister’s upcoming visit to J&K.

Highlighting the sector’s role in job creation, the Chief Minister noted that the government’s focus on festivals, promotional events, and the outsourcing of assets like cafeterias and huts continues to provide sustainable livelihoods for local youth, artisans, and digital content creators, fostering a more inclusive and regionally balanced tourism economy.