Srinagar- Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday emphasised fiscal discipline and directed all departments to submit well structured and need based proposals aligned with the government’s development roadmap for the upcoming budget session of the J&K Legislative Assembly.
For the second consecutive day, the chief minister held pre-budget consultations with key departments to assess sectoral priorities, development needs and financial requirements. The budget session of the Legislative Assembly is scheduled to begin on February 2.
Omar, who also holds the finance portfolio, chaired detailed meetings with the departments of social welfare, health and medical education, school education, higher education, public works (roads and buildings), mining, industries and commerce, and labour.
Addressing the meetings, the chief minister said departments must ensure that proposals are realistic, outcome oriented and grounded in fiscal discipline. He stressed the importance of timely completion of projects, transparency in implementation and efficient delivery of public services.
“The budget should reflect the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and focus on inclusive growth, balanced regional development and sustainable economic progress,” Omar said.
During the consultations, the chief minister reviewed the status of ongoing projects, sector wise performance, utilisation of allocated funds and future requirements. He underscored the need to channel public resources towards priority sectors that have a direct bearing on the lives of citizens.
Directing departments to adopt a people centric and performance driven approach, Omar said the upcoming budget must prioritise strengthening healthcare and education infrastructure, expanding social security coverage, improving road connectivity, promoting industrial growth and generating employment opportunities for youth.
The chief minister began the pre budget consultation process on Tuesday with nine departments. The exercise will conclude on Thursday with meetings with the remaining departments, an official spokesperson said.
The consultations are aimed at finalising a comprehensive, growth oriented and people friendly budget for the Union Territory, the spokesperson added.
