Political Rifts and Controversial Issues May Spark Uproar in the Assembly
Jammu, March 2: After a long hiatus of seven years, the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly is set to convene its first full-fledged Budget Session starting tomorrow. The session will commence with Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s address at 10 AM in the Central Hall of the Legislature, marking a significant political moment in the region’s governance.
The session holds crucial significance as it marks the second address of the Lieutenant Governor to the legislature under the new democratic setup, following his speech in Srinagar on November 4, 2024, during the brief first session of the Omar Abdullah-led government. The proceedings will be closely watched, especially as political tensions are expected to surface, with opposition parties signaling their intent to raise controversial issues that could lead to heated confrontations.
Despite assurances from all political parties during the All-Party Meeting convened by Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather for smooth proceedings, indications suggest that the PDP, People’s Conference, and Awami Ittehad Party (AIP)—together accounting for five MLAs—may rake up contentious matters, drawing a sharp counter-response from the BJP. Sources within these parties hinted that such developments could escalate into chaos in the Assembly.
The BJP, which has adopted a hardline stance, has already issued a stern warning that it will not tolerate any “anti-national agenda” in the House. With political temperatures running high, the Assembly could witness intense debates and potential disruptions.
Before delving into legislative matters, the House will observe an obituary reference to pay homage to five eminent personalities who passed away in the last four months, including former Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh. The other leaders to be remembered include former Minister Syed Ghulam Hussain Geelani, ex-Rajya Sabha member Shamsher Singh Manhas, and former MLAs Ghulam Hassan Parrey and Choudhary Piara Singh.
Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather will also formally announce the names of the panel of chairpersons for the assembly, setting the stage for structured discussions and proceedings.
Following the LG’s address, discussions on the speech will be held from March 4 to March 6, with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah scheduled to respond on March 6. A day later, on March 7, Omar, who also holds the finance portfolio, will present his maiden budget—the first to be tabled in the J&K Assembly after a seven-year gap.
The last budget for Jammu and Kashmir was presented on January 11, 2018, by then Finance Minister Dr. Haseeb Drabu during the tenure of the PDP-BJP coalition government led by Mehbooba Mufti in the erstwhile state. Since the dissolution of the Assembly in 2018 and the subsequent reorganization of J&K into a Union Territory, five consecutive budgets were passed by Parliament in the absence of an elected legislature.
When the PDP-BJP government collapsed in June 2018, the budget for 2019-20 was passed by then-Governor Satya Pal Malik through the State Administrative Council. The last two budgets—2023-24 and 2024-25—were presented by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in Parliament, with the outgoing financial year’s budget amounting to ₹1,18,728 crore. An interim Vote-on-Account budget was also taken up in Parliament on February 5, 2024, in light of the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
For the fiscal year 2025-26, the Union Finance Ministry has allocated approximately ₹41,000 crore as central assistance for Jammu and Kashmir—₹1,277 crore less than the current financial year. The reduction in allocation has sparked concerns among various political quarters, with expectations mounting on how the J&K government will navigate financial constraints while fulfilling electoral promises.
The Omar-led administration has undertaken extensive pre-budget consultations with industry representatives, MLAs, District Development Council (DDC) chairpersons, and government departments to ensure a comprehensive financial roadmap. The Finance Department is currently putting the final touches on the budget, which is expected to address public aspirations and lay the foundation for policy implementation in the upcoming financial year.
The first budget session in seven years is not just a routine legislative affair—it is a litmus test for the newly restored democratic setup in Jammu and Kashmir. The proceedings over the next few days will not only define the fiscal roadmap for the region but also determine the political landscape amid escalating tensions between ruling and opposition parties.
As the Assembly gears up for debates, all eyes will be on how the House navigates the expected confrontations and whether the government can successfully present a budget that aligns with public expectations while addressing regional challenges. This session will set the tone for the future of Jammu and Kashmir’s democratic journey.