Srinagar- The Jammu and Kashmir Cabinet on Thursday cleared the Excise Policy for 2026–27, approving a proposal under which no new vends will be opened, sources said.
The Cabinet meeting was chaired by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah at the Civil Secretariat here and discussed key administrative proposals ahead of the forthcoming budget session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly.
Sources said the Excise Policy approved by the Cabinet is expected to generate additional revenue of Rs 127 crore during the next financial year while maintaining the existing number of vends across the Union Territory.
The Cabinet also discussed the address to be delivered by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on February 2, the opening day of the Budget Session of the Assembly. As per the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, the lieutenant governor addresses the Assembly at the commencement of the first session of each year.
Besides the excise policy, the Cabinet authorised the Tourism Department and the Public Works (R&B) Department to sign an extended Memorandum of Understanding with the Border Roads Organisation under Project Beacon for completion of pending works on the Shri Amarnath Ji Yatra track.
Sources said the Cabinet also gave its nod to the creation of a Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) to undertake operation and management activities of the proposed Urban Water Transport System on the River Jhelum.
In another decision, the Cabinet approved the construction of a residential school for the wards of the pastoral population at Doombwani in Shopian district. The project will be executed at an estimated cost of Rs 27 crore, sources added.
To Meet MLAs For Pre-Budget Inputs
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who also holds the Finance portfolio in Jammu & Kashmir, will consult Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) to seek their suggestions and inputs as part of the pre-budget exercise for 2026-27.
According to the schedule, the Chief Minister will hold separate meetings with MLAs representing North Kashmir, South Kashmir, and Central Kashmir on January 23 and 24.
As per the meeting notice, Omar Abdullah will tomorrow chair a meeting with MLAs from Srinagar, Ganderbal, and Budgam districts at the Civil Secretariat between 3:00 PM and 6:00 PM. On January 24, the Chief Minister will first meet MLAs from Anantnag, Kulgam, Shopian, and Pulwama districts between 10:00 AM and 1:00 PM.
Later in the day, he will hold consultations with MLAs from Baramulla, Kupwara, and Bandipora districts from 2:00 PM to 5:00 PM. The Chief Minister is also expected to hold similar meetings with MLAs from the Jammu region next week to seek inputs for incorporation into the budget.
