JAMMU, FEB 05: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah reiterated his government’s commitment to presenting a people-friendly budget for Jammu and Kashmir, emphasising that the involvement of public representatives in the budget formulation process ensures that the people’s aspirations and needs are reflected.
Chairing a series of pre-budget consultations at the Civil Secretariat in Jammu, the Chief Minister was joined virtually by Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) from Anantnag, Budgam, Kathua, and Samba districts, as well as District Development Council (DDC) Chairpersons. He stressed the importance of such engagements in fostering participatory governance and ensuring that the budget aligns with the public’s priorities.
Advocate Abdul Rahim Rather, Speaker of the J&K Legislative Assembly and representative of the Charar-i-Sharief constituency, also participated in the meeting remotely.
The meeting was attended by Advisor to the Chief Minister, Nasir Aslam Wani; Additional Chief Secretary Dheeraj Gupta; Principal Secretary Finance Santosh D Vaidya; Director General of Budget J&K; Deputy Commissioners from Kathua, Samba, Anantnag, and Budgam districts; DDC Chairpersons; MLAs; and other senior officials, both in person and through virtual mode.
In his address, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah stated, “The primary aim of these consultations is to gather valuable input from key stakeholders before finalizing the budget. We want this budget to be not just a government document, but one that truly reflects the will of the people. Your voices will be represented, as you represent the people of Jammu and Kashmir.”
He emphasized that the upcoming budget would not be confined to government offices. “You have been elected because the people placed their trust in you. Their expectations are tied to your leadership. Through these consultations, we aim to ensure that the budget aligns with the hopes of those who voted and participated in the democratic process,” he told the elected representatives.
The Chief Minister assured the MLAs and DDC Chairpersons that their inputs would play a vital role in shaping the upcoming budget, reinforcing the government’s commitment to involving elected representatives in critical decision-making processes.
“These consultations are not a one-time event. We are committed to maintaining ongoing coordination with the people’s representatives, ensuring transparency and inclusiveness in governance,” he said. “This consultation process will continue, and we will regularly engage with you to address concerns and provide all necessary support.”
Addressing the participants, the Chief Minister expressed confidence that the forthcoming budget session in the J&K Assembly would reflect a collective commitment to serving the people with dedication and sincerity. “Together, we will work to uplift the socio-economic conditions of our people and ensure sustainable development across Jammu and Kashmir,” he added.
During the consultation sessions, the DDC Chairpersons and MLAs from the four districts raised various issues and projects that required priority attention in the upcoming budget. Key concerns included road widening and new road projects, enhancement of sports infrastructure, upgrading healthcare and educational institutions, ensuring access to potable drinking water, developing tourist destinations, strengthening healthcare facilities with adequate staffing, and establishing new colleges and schools in their constituencies.
The elected representatives expressed their gratitude to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for initiating these consultations, commending the government’s efforts to incorporate grassroots perspectives into the budgetary framework.
