Srinagar- The upcoming budget session of Jammu & Kashmir is expected to be stormy, with opposition parties, especially the Bharatiya Janata Party, set to challenge the National Conference-led government on a range of issues, from its pre-election commitments regarding freebies to what they describe as governance failures.
In a clear indication that the BJP will leave no stone unturned in questioning the government’s performance over the past 16 months, the party held a training workshop for its legislators on Saturday at winter capital Jammu to prepare them for the upcoming session.
The party’s National General Secretary Tarun Chugh, former Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh Jai Ram Thakur, and Delhi Assembly Speaker Vijender Gupta were also present in the training session, which was attended by all MLAs and senior leaders of its J&K unit.
Senior BJP leader and former minister Pawan Gupta said that they will question the government for its failure to fulfill its election promises.
“The government has completely failed to fulfill its election promises,” he said, adding that the party will also raise the issue of flood victims and seek accountability over the package provided by the Government of India for rebuilding infrastructure.
Gupta further said that the party will question the government for weakening the institution of the MLA.
The BJP’s attacks on the government in the House will be spearheaded by the Leader of the Opposition Sunil Kumar Sharma, who has been the main target of the NC leadership while countering the saffron party’s accusations over the past 16 months.
On the other hand, Kashmir-based parties like Peoples Democratic Party, Peoples Conference are also likely to question the government over its 2024 assembly election commitments, reservation and other emotive issues concerning Kashmir.
However, the opposition from Kashmir-based small parties and independents is unlikely to be effective, given their limited strength and lack of unity. They have often targeted each other, leaving little room for any unity among them.(KNO)
CM Holds Pre-Budget Consultations With MLAs
As part of the ongoing pre-budget consultations for the Budget Session 2026–27, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday continued discussions with Members of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly from South and North Kashmir districts at the Civil Secretariat here.
The meeting was attended by Ministers Sakina Itoo, Javaid Ahmad Dar and Satish Sharma, along with Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta, Principal Secretary Finance Santosh D. Vaidya, Deputy Commissioners of the concerned districts, senior officers of the Finance Department and other officials.
During the consultations, legislators from South Kashmir districts including Anantnag, Pulwama, Kulgam and Shopian placed a range of proposals before the Chief Minister. The demands focused largely on infrastructure development and citizen-centric welfare initiatives aimed at addressing local needs in their respective constituencies.
Similarly, MLAs from North Kashmir districts including Kupwara, Baramulla and Bandipora presented their suggestions, seeking adequate budgetary allocations in the forthcoming Budget 2026–27 for developmental works and public welfare programmes.
The legislators called for enhanced funding across key sectors such as health, education, agriculture, horticulture and irrigation. They also highlighted the need for road widening projects, construction of community halls, strengthening of sports infrastructure, youth-centric initiatives, employment generation programmes and establishment of fire stations in far-flung areas.
Several MLAs emphasized the importance of dedicated allocations for climate change mitigation measures to prevent loss of life and property during natural calamities. They also pitched for the establishment of public libraries and skill development centres, alongside ensuring time-bound utilization of funds for the execution of approved projects.
The legislators further stressed the need to strengthen irrigation infrastructure and tap the tourism potential of the region as a means to create sustainable livelihood opportunities for local youth.
Assuring the legislators, the Chief Minister said that all suggestions and proposals put forth during the consultations would be given due consideration while finalising the budget. He reiterated the government’s commitment to balanced, inclusive and regionally equitable development across Jammu and Kashmir.
The pre-budget consultations are part of the government’s effort to incorporate grassroots-level feedback into policy planning and ensure that development priorities reflect regional and sectoral requirements.
