Omar calls for effective, proper, transparent utilization of flood relief funds

Pre-budget meeting with MLAs of Jammu, Samba districts

STATE TIMES NEWS

JAMMU: As part of the ongoing exercise for formulation of a people friendly and development-oriented budget, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday chaired a pre-budget consultation meeting with Members of the Legislative Assembly from Jammu and Samba districts, here. Discussions were held on sector-wise priorities, district-specific developmental needs and policy interventions aimed at balanced and inclusive growth.

The consultation was attended by Ministers Sakina Itoo, Javid Ahmed Dar and Satish Sharma, who also represents the Chamb Assembly constituency. Members of the Legislative Assembly present in the meeting included Dr Devinder Kumar Manyal (Ramgarh), Surjeet Singh Slathia (Samba), Rajeev Kumar (Bishnah), Gharu Ram Bhagat (Suchetgarh), Vikram Randhawa (Bahu), Yudhvir Sethi (Jammu East), Devyani Rana (Nagrota), Arvind Gupta (Jammu West), Sham Lal Sharma (Jammu North) and Mohan Lal (Akhnoor). The meeting was also attended by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta, Additional Chief Secretaries of Power Development Department and Public Works Department, Principal Secretary Finance, Commissioner Secretary Industries & Commerce, Secretary Tribal Affairs, Secretary Rural Development, Deputy Commissioners of Jammu and Samba districts, Director General Budget, senior officers of the Finance Department and heads of key departments. Addressing the legislators, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah said that the pre-budget consultations are part of a continuous and evolving process aimed at ensuring meaningful participation of elected representatives in shaping government priorities.
“I have reviewed the discussions held over the last few days. If we look at it from one side, this has been a continuous process. The good thing is that most of the issues raised were not repeated,” the Chief Minister said.