The Indian Institute of Management Jammu conducted a two-day workshop on Improving Governance in Jammu and Kashmir, sponsored by National Institution for Transforming India (NITI) Aayog. Held on 24–25 September 2025 at the IIM Jammu campus, the program brought together 50 participants, including policymakers, administrators, and regional experts. The inaugural ceremony was graced by Prof. B.S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu.

The workshop aims to strengthen institutional roles and responsibilities for the implementation of J&K State Missions, facilitate strategic planning, and promote evidence-based governance aligned with national frameworks such as Vision@2047 and the State Support Mission of NITI Aayog. Priority sectors include entrepreneurship and livelihoods, tourism, IT and data analytics, agriculture, infrastructure development, human resource development, social safeguards, and environmental management.

Present on the occasion were Prof. Ravij Seth, Professor of Practice, IIM Jammu; Prof. Rajesh Sikka, Professor of Practice, IIM Jammu; and Dr. Bijoy Rakshit, faculty, IIM Jammu. 

Prof. B.S. Sahay, Director, IIM Jammu, mentioned in his address Governance is a responsibility we all share, and if you respect the system, the system will respect you. IIM Jammu, through its Centre for Innovation and Transformation in Governance, serves as a think tank for Jammu & Kashmir, guiding projects and capacity-building initiatives. Our goal is to improve governance, promote strategic planning, and strengthen key areas such as skill development, data analytics, tourism, social safeguarding, and e-governance. I urge all participants to commit themselves to this vision, elevate the state’s development, and work towards improving GDP and per capita income. IIM Jammu is dedicated to serving humanity through education, and we aim to prepare participants from Jammu & Kashmir and across India for transformative leadership. The success of this two-day workshop depends on your active engagement and respect for the value of time.

Prof. Jabir Ali, Dean Faculty and Research, IIM Jammu, underlined the importance of innovation, evidence-based planning, and inter-institutional collaboration in improving governance, stressing that participants will be empowered to implement sustainable and impactful solutions. 

Shri Madan Gopal Sharma, Director, Expenditure Division-II, Finance Department, Govt of Jammu and Kashmir emphasized that improving governance in Jammu & Kashmir requires strategic planning and active institutional engagement, noting that workshops like this provide a valuable platform to share best practices and implement reforms effectively. 

Prof. Sanjeev Pathak, Chairperson, Executive Education & Capacity Building, IIM Jammu, highlighted that capacity building and knowledge sharing are critical for strengthening governance, and this workshop will equip participants with the tools to lead transformative initiatives in the region. 

Dr. Bijoy Rakshit welcomed the participants and set the tone for an interactive and collaborative session, emphasizing that effective governance starts with awareness and responsibility. He noted that this workshop encourages active participation and practical learning to address Jammu & Kashmir’s priority sectors.

The inaugural session culminated with the National Anthem, followed by a group photo and a library visit to Nalanda Library, Smart Classrooms, Vedanta MDP Block and Mandapam Auditorium, The workshop’s agenda for the day includes thematic sessions on Agriculture & Allied Sectors, Tourism Development, and IT, Data Analytics, Monitoring & Evaluation.  

The two-day workshop is expected to culminate in actionable strategic frameworks, roadmaps for SIT operations, and recommendations for strengthening institutional coordination and capacity building across priority sectors. The training workshop is being coordinated by Executive Education and Consultancy, IIM Jammu.