‘Focus on inclusive growth’: Omar tables ₹1.27-lakh-cr. budget

Highlighting the financial distress the Union Territory (UT) was facing, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday presented a ₹1.27-lakh-crore budget with a “special focus on the marginalised sections of the society and fresh measures to create jobs”, in a region with one of the highest unemployment rates in the country.

“The budget carries a wide range of people-centric initiatives aimed at delivering immediate relief, strengthening social protection, promoting inclusive growth and ensuring equitable development across all regions of J&K,” said Mr. Abdullah, who presented the second budget of his government as the Finance Minister.

Thirty-two welfare measures were rolled out for the marginalised sections, including women, orphans and persons with disabilities. Mr. Abdullah announced six free LPG cylinders for families registered under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY); free bus service for women and passengers with disabilities in smart city buses and other government transport systems; Direct Benefit Transfer-based financial reimbursement of fees for AAY students from Classes 9 to 12 as well as college students; and sponsorship support to 6,000 orphans under non-institutional care.

Oppn. unhappy

Opposition parties expressed their unhappiness over the budget though. “The budget is hopeless and a vague document. It offers no healing or hope. The youth, who comprise 60%–65% of our population, have been ignored,” Peoples Democratic Party MLA Waheed-ur-Rehmaan Parra said. BJP MLA and Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma termed it “a budget for National Conference MLAs”. “There is nothing for the common people in it,” he added.
“The Budget carries a set of focused measures that will directly touch the lives of citizens, particularly the most vulnerable sections,” Mr. Abdullah said.