NC govt’s ‘progressive’ budget to bridge socio-economic gaps: Gupta

Jammu, Mar 17: “The recent budget presented by the Omar Abdullah-led government is a landmark step towards bridging socio-economic gaps and ensuring equitable development of all sections of society,” NC’s Provincial President Jammu, Rattan Lal Gupta said on Monday.
He said the budget introduced a series of welfare measures aimed at empowering the most vulnerable sections of society, reinforcing NC’s vision of an inclusive and progressive Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing a public meeting at Narwal Pian (Satwari), Jammu, Gupta said, “NC has consistently been a strong voice for the downtrodden and underprivileged. The party played a historic role in advocating for the rights of those at the lowest economic rung and ensuring their socio-economic empowerment. The recent budget presented by the dynamic Chief Minister Omar Abdullah-led government is a testament to the party’s vision of inclusive growth and social justice.”
According to a statement issued here, the senior NC leader elaborated on several key welfare measures introduced in the budget to improve the lives of marginalised communities. He highlighted the government’s special focus on Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) beneficiaries, ensuring 10 kg of free ration per month per person for AAY families, enhancement in the financial assistance under the Marriage Assistance Scheme for AAY category girls, 200 units of free electricity per month for all AAY families, free public transport for women in government-owned buses, including e-buses, waiver of stamp duty on property transfers to relatives, promoting legal documentation and reducing inheritance disputes among marginalised families, increase in widow and old-age pensions and many more.
Earlier, Bimla Luthra former MLA, Vijay Lochan Chairman SC Cell and Chander Mohan Sharma District President Jammu Urban said the weaker sections of society face hardships due to “hollow policies” of the previous government. “These marginalised communities have suffered immensely over the last ten years, as successive regimes failed to address their pressing concerns,” they said, adding that the budget is a “much-needed step to rectify past injustices and uplift those who have long been neglected”.
Provincial President Jammu YNC, Sardar Tejinder Singh Aman and others criticised the lack of concrete welfare measures and asserted that only the National Conference has consistently worked towards safeguarding the rights and dignity of the underprivileged.
“The National Conference government headed by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah remains steadfast in its mission to create a just and equitable society, where every individual, regardless of their background, has access to opportunities and dignity,” he said.
Earlier, dozens of social activists and workers of different parties joined the National Conference, the statement said. Those who joined include Mumtaz Bano, Rifat, Amrina, Nazma, Anju, Saima, Rafia, Ashia, Amir, Azar, Amzad, Asim, Abrar, Azim and others.