Pupu Ji Koul
Budget is basically a planning and controlling tool and exercise strictly speaking in economic and managerial sense. Budget making is an early exercise and the governments at state level and central level prepare budgets annually and present before legislative assembly and parliament for debate, discussion and passing.As ill had to Jammu and Kashmir as it had no elected government for seven long years and so its budget could not be prepared and presented by the UT government.
Budgets for all these years were made by the parliament and thrust upon the J&K UT.Such budgets has no reflected of the ground realities and were far from local needs and aspirations.
Now there is an elected /people’s government in place in J&K, so the political executive and the UT government is all set to table its maiden budget in the legislative Assembly which will focus on the issues and needs of the gullible people and such a budget will be in real sense a people’s and democratic planning and financial as well as controlling document and it is expected to focus on the promises and commitments made with the electorate during the recently held assembly elections.
For the first time J &K chief minister Omar Abdullah has held pre-budget discussions with all most all stakeholders and public representatives and it has concluded and now the budget for year 2025-26 is ready and it will be tabled before the lower house of the legislature as there is only one house as the bicameral arrangement had been done away with much before. In all probability the new budget of the new government of NC, Congress alliance will be presented in the legislative assembly on 7th of February 2025 and all the eyes of the political parties,business houses and the general public are set on it and they will be watching what is in store for them in the new budget.
Since budget session had already begun on 3rd of February with the address of the LG Manoj Shina who put before the legislative his governments focus areas and he also praised chief minister’s novel approach of having held detailed discussions with different stakeholders and public representatives before the actual budget will be presented before the legislative assembly.LG has rightly said that the budget of the J&K UT will be historic one being framed and to be present by the elected government after a long gap of seven years.
The first budget of the newly elected government will rightly focus on development, employment along with women and youth as well as agriculture and health facilities and required allocations will be earmarked for all these areas of priorities. The new budget for Jammu and Kashmir is likely to focus heavily on infrastructure development, employment generation ,youth-centric schemes, women empowerment initiatives, and addressing the needs of rural areas with a particular emphasis on improving basic amenities like electricity and healthcare across the region, this will include significant allocations for ongoing projects like Udhampur-Srinagar -Bharamulla Rail Link and Zojila Tunnel.
As the J&K governments pre-budget discussions with different departments have been completed and the budgetary proposals for 2025-26 and finalized revised estimates for 2024-25, the first budget of the new government will focus on development, employment along with women and youth -centric schemes. It is learnt people friendly schemes and welfare measures will form the core of the budget. It has come to light that the budget will not only focus on employment generation ,but provisions will also be made for infrastructure development across the UT along with free electricity ,announcements like pension, LPG cylinders ,and relief from unscheduled power cuts. The budget will youth and women centric along with the development of the UT. It is also learnt that in the new budget of JK provision will be made for free electricity up to 200 units to all eligible families of Jammu and Kashmir. To make J&K self-reliant in power generation ,stress will also be laid on accelerating four mega hydroelectric projects with 3014 MW capacity.
However, monthly relief to economically weaker women, distribution of LPG cylinders , and ration annually, are also expected to find proper allocations in this year’s budget so that these beneficial schemes for the poor people will continue to give some relief to these targeted of the people.It is also learnt from the reliable sources that agriculture, horticulture and health sectors will be strengthened to create employment opportunities and modalities are being worked out are incorporated in the budget allocations.
Tourism industry, accelerating the development of industrial areas , and setting up new enterprises is also expected to find place in the budget allocations. The key areas of focus in the new budget to be presented by the chief minister for the first time as he holds the important portfolio of finance ministry are as under- A-Infrastructure development. Investment in roads,bridges,railways,and other connectivity projects ,including the completion of ongoing projects is a priority item in the new budget to be tabled on 7th February.
B-Skill development and employment generation will be another important item of priority in the new budget as the problem of joblessness is plaguing our UT and thus need efforts to create more jobs for the youth.
C-Agriculture and allied sectors will find good allocation in the budget to give boost to farm economy. Support to farmers through irrigation facilities,modern farming techniques and market access will be the areas of priority in the budget to enhance agriculture productivity and augment the income of farmers.
D-Promotion of tourism may be another main area of attention in this year’s budget which will boost tourism economy and enhance income of all those people connected directly and indirectly with tourism industry.It includes eco-tourism and adventure tourism.
F-Upgrading existing educational institutions and healthcare facilities ,particularly in rural areas of Jammu and Kashmir may find attention in the budget.
G- Increased funding for healthcare facilities particularly in remote areas will find expression in this year’s budget.H-programs for women empowerment and social welfare may find mention in the budget.I-Another area of focus will be development of backward areas within J&K.
J-Another main area is equitable allocation of funds between Jammu and Kashmir regions to ally fear and grievances of People and political parties from Jammu.So addressing regional disparities will be an item of focus in the budget to alleviate the fears of the Jammu region. In short ,the new Budget of the NC-Congress alliance government will prioritize infrastructure development, employment generation, sustainable agriculture, tourism promotion, social inclusion, and development of new industrial estates with a particular focus on women and youth-centric schemes ,alongside provisions for improved electricity access and relief from power cuts, moreover, investment in roads and bridge projects. The budget 2025-26 of J&K will be exemplary as it will be growth centered, inclusive and people friendly made by keeping promises made with the people in the recent assembly polls.
