Srinagar: In a bid to make Jammu and Kashmir a cost-effective destination for global filmmakers, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has announced a series of initiatives aimed at building a robust local film infrastructure and a skilled workforce that will create employment opportunities for the youth in the region.
Beyond traditional Bollywood, the chief minister is actively looking at encouraging Southern cinema and music video producers to come to Jammu and Kashmir, promising a streamlined “single-window” clearance system and significant reductions in production overheads.
Recognising that high production costs often deter film units, Abdullah told PTI recently that the government is collaborating with major production houses in Mumbai to train local youths in technical crafts such as cinematography and lighting.
“We are working with organisations, particularly in Mumbai, to create a trained pool of resources so that when a film unit comes here, they don’t have to bring everybody with them,” Abdullah told PTI here.
He said that this strategy serves a dual purpose, because it is cheaper for the film unit and it also creates local employment here.
“Look, we need to sort of recognise that we need to build an infrastructure here for people to be able to come and film.
“We need to make it easier and cheaper because production costs are extremely high. So one of the things we’re trying to do is to create a pool of talented youngsters who are trained,” he said.
In addition to manpower, the government is focusing on the “logistics of filming”, Abdullah said and added that plans are underway to establish a local pool of high-end filming equipment, ranging from spotlights to camera dollies.
“So they don’t have to bring everything… all the way here for filming. So it’s something that we are currently in the process of executing, and we hope that it will show results,” he said.
Addressing concerns regarding bureaucratic hurdles, the chief minister said that Jammu and Kashmir’s film policy is being effectively implemented through the tourism department, which has a dedicated officer to coordinate all permissions.
Acknowledging some “dealing difficulties” in the past, the chief minister asserted that his administration has worked to remove these bottlenecks to ensure a smoother experience for creative teams.
“It is something that we are currently in the process of executing, and we hope that it will show results soon,” Abdullah said and hoped that these measures would firmly place the valley back on the international cinematic map.
He also dedicated medical equipment worth Rs 2.25 crore to the public at Jawahar Lal Nehru Memorial Hospital, strengthening critical healthcare facilities at the hospital.
The chief minister inaugurated advanced medical equipment under Corporate Social Responsibility by HDFC Bank including an ERCP Endoscopy Machine, Ultra/Doppler Sound Machine, Tissue Processor for Histo Pathology and Laser Urology equipment, procured at a total cost of Rs 2.25 crore, an official spokesman said.
He said during his visit, the CM toured the newly inaugurated facilities, including the Department of Pathology, Department of Laboratory, Immunology Section, Biochemistry Section and USG Room, among others.
Abdullah also interacted with doctors, technicians and paramedical staff at the hospital.
Appreciating the dedication and commitment of the healthcare workers, Abdullah lauded the staff for providing quality healthcare services to the people throughout the year.
He also said his government will use the three golf courses in the valley to promote the sport and tourism in the Union Territory.
“If we make a list of beautiful golf courses in the country, the three golf courses of Kashmir at Srinagar, Pahalgam and Gulmarg will make it easily. We want to use these golf courses to promote tourism,” Abdullah said at Royal Springs Golf Course here.
The chief minister was speaking to reporters after teeing off a golf tournament in which 100 golfers from across the country are taking part.
Abdullah said there is a plan to bring together 60 young golfers from the country and organise a tournament for them at Pahalgam.
“We are trying to encourage our local golfers in order to create a new generation of players while also promoting tourism through these golf courses,” he said.
The chief minister said several golfers visit Srinagar for golf whenever they find a long weekend on account of a holiday falling either on Friday or Monday.
