Chief Secretary Dr. Arun Kumar Mehta, on Friday, observed that J&K was going to prove the best location for hosting G-20 Summit events. He said the visiting delegates would carry with them a mesmerising experience to be cherished for long.
Dr. Mehta made these remarks during deliberations with a delegation on the conduct of its meetings here in the UT.
The meeting was attended by additional chief secretary, agriculture production; additional chief secretary, Home; principal secretary, PWD; principal secretary, Housing and Urban Development; divisional commissioner, Kashmir; commissioner secretary, Rural Development Department; secretary, Planning; secretary, Health; secretary, GAD; secretary, Hospitality and Protocol; secretary, Transport, and many other concerned officers.
Dr. Mehta said J&K’s breathtaking environment and the climate makes it highly conducive for holding such events. He informed that the infrastructure has been upgraded to a great extent during the past few years which will stand it in good stead when it comes to holding prestigious international events like the G-20 Summit.
He further revealed that the law and order situation in the Union Territory has improved a lot and it is worth noting that for the last one and a half year not a single terrorist strike has taken place in the UT. He said that the crime rate in the UT is very low.
He told the delegation that the tourist flow to the UT is at an all-time high this year with a record footfall of 1.62 crore since January 2022, the highest in the 75 years of Independence.
The chief secretary assured the delegation that the best possible arrangements would be put in place and that the delegates would find an opportunity to watch the rich cultural diversity of J&K.
He also took stock of other arrangements like hotel accommodation, protocol, city sprucing, holding of cultural events, transport, internet connectivity, medical facilities, arrangements at airports, training of staff and other branding strategies.
It’s pertinent to mention here that from December 1 this year, India is going to assume the G20 presidency for a year and chair over 200 meetings that aim to secure global economic growth and prosperity. Together, the G-20 countries represent more than 80 percent of the world’s GDP, 75 percent of international trade and 60% of the world’s population.