Budget discussion commences in LA for second day

Jammu : On the second day of ongoing discussion on Budget 2025-26 in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly (LA), legislators spoke on Monday on different aspects of the budget.
Initiating the discussion, member Mir Saifullah said that this is a unique budget and covers every region of Jammu and Kashmir. He expressed gratitude to CM Omar Abdullah for presenting a budget which will prove beneficial for the common people and every section of the society.
He added that this budget will take J&K to new heights and make Jammu and Kashmir one of the developed regions of the country.
While participating in the discussion, Professor Gharu Ram Bhagat said that Jammu and Kashmir, being agriculture dependent, needs added focus on agriculture and allied sectors. He said that investing in these areas will drive rural development, boost employment and ensure sustainable development. He also laid emphasis on resolving all the issues faced by the farmers.
He also highlighted achievements of the Union Government and the welfare measures being taken for development Jammu and Kashmir.
Speaking during the budget discussion, Justice (Retd.) Hasnain Masoodi extended gratitude to CM Omar Abdullah for rising to the occasion and presenting a comprehensive people centric budget. He hailed different initiatives presented during the budget saying that these initiatives will satiate the aspirations of people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Iftikhar Ahmed expressed gratitude to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for presenting a pro-public budget that has touched all aspects of the society.
“This budget will lay a strong foundation for development of Jammu and Kashmir and we are sure that next five years will set a new dawn in the J&K,” he asserted.
He also thanked the CM for giving special focus on health sector, education and other priority areas. He also urged for providing of hostels for the SC students.
Salman Sagar, while speaking in support of the budget, said that this budget will lay new foundation for Jammu and Kashmir in next five years. He also hailed the women welfare measures being presented during the budget, adding that it will benefit a huge chunk of population.
Salman Sagar also hailed the initiatives for AAY families, old/widow pensioners as well as specially abled persons.
The legislator sought some benefits in budget for the transporters, amnesty for electricity consumers of BPL families, CIC operators and other sections of society.
Yudhvir Sethi, while speaking on the occasion, highlighted the achievements of the Union Government.
Waheed Parra, while speaking during the budget discussion, said that the budget has no mention of youth schemes or initiatives. He added that there is no mention of Employment guarantee act, Youth Startup scheme, Seed development fund or other initiatives for creating employability avenues for youth.
He also asked for establishing a Human Rights Commission for checking human rights violations in Jammu and Kashmir.
Nizamuddin Bhat said that the budget presented by the government is different from other times and is quite laudable. It has touched all aspects vis social, economic and infrastructure development, he said.
Muzaffar Iqbal Khan, while speaking in support of the budgetary provisions, said that the government has presented a pragmatic budget despite the challenges faced by the government.
“I am thankful to the CM for prioritising health and education in the budget as they were not given due importance during the last few years. Patients are suffering due to piling up of vacancies in the hospitals,,” he said. He also said that focus should be laid on tourism promotion in Poonch and Rajouri.
Hilal Akbar Lone, while speaking in favour of the budget, said that the budget has provision for every sector and section of our society. He hailed the CM Omar Abdullah for presenting a people friendly budget.
Mehraj Malik, while hailing the budget, also sought increase in wages of daily wagers and contractual staff working across different sectors in J&K. He sought giving mining contracts to youth of Jammu and Kashmir. He also highlighted the continuous lapsing of funds during the last five years and said that this was being done under a conspiracy.
The legislator also asked for upgradation of schools and healthcare institutions across Jammu and Kashmir.