Srinagar, Mar 26: The Jammu and Kashmir government on Tuesday said that over 72% of the Union Territory’s population resides in rural areas, and significant funding is being allocated for their development under various schemes.
In a reply to a question tabled by MLA Advocate Vijay Kumar during the ongoing Assembly session, the government said that as per the 2011 Census, 72.52% of J&K’s population lives in rural areas.
It added that while population is an important factor in budget allocation, it is not the sole criterion. The government follows a structured approach to fund distribution, ensuring that rural areas receive a substantial share of financial resources.
The government said that several flagship schemes are in place specifically for rural development, including the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY-Grameen), MGNREGS, Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM-Grameen), Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan, and the Start-up Programme for Village Entrepreneurship.
Funds are also allocated for infrastructure development at the district level, including for District Development Councils (DDCs) and Block Development Councils (BDCs).
With elected representatives now in place, the government said that MLAs also receive Constituency Development Funds (CDF), which can be utilized for rural projects. Major allocations are also directed towards sectors such as agriculture, horticulture, animal husbandry, fisheries, and tribal affairs, which primarily benefit rural populations.
Explaining the budget allocation process, the government said that funding decisions involve multiple steps. Initially, revenue availability is assessed, with J&K generating less than 30% of its own resources, while over 50% of the budget comes from central grants. The remaining funds are sourced through borrowings and additional resource mobilization.
The budget process prioritizes key expenditures such as salaries, pensions, debt repayment, and matching contributions for centrally sponsored schemes. The Finance Department seeks budget proposals from various departments and district administrations, considering economic conditions, development priorities, and infrastructure gaps. Special attention is given to backward areas, population density, and local demands raised by elected representatives.
Before finalizing the budget, consultations are held with all stakeholders, including government departments, district administrations, and public representatives, ensuring a balanced and well-planned allocation of funds, it added.
