CM Omar Abdullah Chairs Pre-Budget Consultations, Promises People-Centric Budget
JAMMU, Feb 5: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah reaffirmed his government’s dedication to delivering a people-oriented budget for Jammu & Kashmir, emphasizing that the active involvement of public representatives is key to ensuring that the budget aligns with the needs and aspirations of the people.
In a series of pre-budget consultation meetings held at the Civil Secretariat in Jammu, the Chief Minister engaged with Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) from Anantnag, Budgam, Kathua, and Samba districts, as well as District Development Council (DDC) Chairpersons, who participated virtually from their respective districts. Advocate Abdul Rahim Rather, the Speaker of the J&K Legislative Assembly and representative of the Charar-i-Sharief Constituency, also joined the consultations remotely from his office.
During the session, CM Omar Abdullah underscored the importance of inclusive, participatory governance, explaining that these consultations serve as a platform to incorporate the feedback and suggestions of the elected representatives, who act as the voice of the people. “The primary objective of these consultations is to gather valuable inputs from all key stakeholders before finalizing the budget. We want to ensure that this budget is not just formulated by the government, but is shaped by the people, for the people,” the Chief Minister stated.
He further emphasized that the forthcoming budget would be a reflection of the priorities and expectations of the public, rather than a top-down government initiative. “You have won your elections because the people have placed their trust in you. Their hopes and expectations are linked to your leadership. This meeting allows us to align our budget priorities with those aspirations, ensuring that the voices of the people are heard and acted upon,” he said, addressing the MLAs and DDC Chairpersons.
The Chief Minister reassured the elected representatives that their suggestions would play an instrumental role in shaping the upcoming budget. “These consultations are not a one-time affair. We are committed to establishing ongoing coordination with the people’s representatives to ensure transparency, inclusiveness, and accountability in governance,” he added. He further pledged, “This consultation process will continue, and we will engage with you regularly to address your concerns and offer support.”
In his concluding remarks, CM Omar Abdullah expressed his confidence that the upcoming budget session in the J&K Assembly would reflect a collective commitment to the welfare of the people, highlighting the government’s focus on socio-economic development. “Together, we will work to improve the socio-economic conditions of our people and ensure sustainable development across Jammu and Kashmir,” he assured.
The pre-budget consultation sessions provided a platform for DDC Chairpersons and MLAs from the four districts to raise critical issues and concerns that require immediate attention in the upcoming budget. Among the key priorities discussed were road widening projects, the development of new road infrastructure, enhancement of sports facilities, the upgradation of healthcare and educational institutions, provision of clean drinking water, development of tourist destinations, and strengthening the healthcare sector with adequate staffing and resources. The elected representatives also called for the establishment of new colleges and schools in their constituencies to meet growing educational demands.
The participants expressed their gratitude to CM Omar Abdullah for initiating these consultations, recognizing the government’s commitment to incorporating grassroots perspectives into the budgetary process. The meeting was attended by Advisor to the CM Nasir Aslam Wani, Additional Chief Secretary Dheeraj Gupta, Principal Secretary Finance Santosh D Vaidya, Director General Budget J&K, Deputy Commissioners of Kathua, Samba, Anantnag, and Budgam districts, along with other senior officials, both in person and through virtual mode.
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