Omar not to use Hari Niwas as official residence

Complex transferred to H&P for maintenance and use

As the Chief Minister, Mr. Omar Abdullah has decided not to use Hari Niwas in Srinagar as his official residence, the matters pertaining to its maintenance were discussed at a high level meeting chaired by the Chief Minister here today. 

The meeting was attended by the Chief Secretary, Mr. S. S. Kapur, Financial Commissioner, Planning, Mr. S. L. Bhat, Principal Secretary to Chief Minister, Mr. Khurshid Ahmad Ganai, Commissioner/Secretary, Finance, Mr. Sudhanshu Pandey, Commissioner/Secretary, General Administration Department, Mr. Basharat Ahamad Dhar, Commissioner/Secretary, Forests, Mr. Shant Manu, Chief Warden, Wildlife, Mr. A. K. Srivatsav, Director Hospitality and Protocol, Director Estates and other senior officers. 
The meeting decided to transfer the Hari Niwas to Hospitality and Protocol Department for its maintenance and use. 
The Chief Minister said that he is not using the Hari Niwas as his official residence as such it should be properly managed and utilized as an asset of the State. He stressed on making the Hari Niwas complex self-sustaining and revenue generating asset. “It can be utilized for holding high- level conferences and as a VVIP guest house”, he said, adding that a model for managing Hari Niwas and charging differential tariff for providing accommodation to the guests staying there should be worked out as per the location, ambience and facilities available.