Pre-budget meeting with public representatives aimed at understanding public aspirations to make Budget citizen-centric: CM
Srinagar | Jan, 24: Continuing the series of pre-budget consultations ahead of the forthcoming Budget Session, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday chaired a comprehensive meeting at the Civil Secretariat here with Members of the Legislative Assembly from Srinagar, Budgam and Ganderbal districts.
The meeting was attended by Minister Javaid Ahmad Dar, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta, Principal Secretary Finance Santosh D. Vaidya, Deputy Commissioners of the concerned districts, and other senior officers.
During the deliberations, legislators from Srinagar sought enhanced budgetary allocations in the Budget 2026–27 for priority developmental projects and key public welfare initiatives, keeping in view the significance of Srinagar as the summer capital.
MLAs Ali Mohammad Sagar, Mubarak Gul, Shamim Firdous, Tanvir Sadiq, Sheikh Ahsan Ahmed (Pardesi), Salman Ali Sagar and Mushtaq Ahmad Guru presented constituency-specific development plans and raised issues related to infrastructure development and overall public welfare.
A wide range of issues were discussed, including enhancement of financial assistance under social welfare schemes, housing for economically weaker sections, welfare of handicraft and handloom artisans, road widening projects, allocation for a special capital city fund for Srinagar and Jammu cities, traffic decongestion measures, development of parking slots, beautification of Soner Kol and Kut Kol, construction of community halls, restoration of water bodies, improvement of sports infrastructure, vertical housing projects, restoration of Dal Lake, Anchar Lake, Khushal Sar and Gilsar interiors, development of an efficient drainage system.
The legislators stressed the need for scientific waste management at the Achan landfill site to address foul smell and environmental hazards.
Concerns relating to drinking water quality, upgradation of sewage treatment plants, widening of interior roads, and removal of traffic bottlenecks were highlighted. The MLAs further emphasised the need to create employment opportunities for the youth of Srinagar and urged that adequate provisions be made in the annual budget.
Similarly, MLAs from Budgam—Ali Mohammad Dar, Dr Shafi Ahmad Wani, Saif-ud-Din Bhat and Aga Muntazir—and MLA Kangan Mian Mehar Ali highlighted constituency-specific developmental needs and public welfare issues.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah himself represents Ganderbal Constituency in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly.
Addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister assured the legislators that the priorities identified for their respective constituencies, along with initiatives aimed at overall public welfare, would be duly considered and incorporated in the forthcoming Budget.
He emphasised that pre-budget consultations with public representatives are vital to understanding public aspirations and incorporating them into the Budget 2026–27, with the objective of making it more public-friendly and citizen-centric.
The Chief Minister also urged the legislators to closely monitor ongoing development works to ensure quality execution and timely delivery of services. Additionally, he directed them to submit assessment reports on damages caused by the recent spell of gusty winds across the Kashmir Valley.
