Jammu, Feb 09: The discussion on Budget 2026-27 resumed in Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Monday with Legislators holding detailed deliberations on the government’s financial proposals and policy priorities.
Initiating the debate, Legislator Dr Sajjad Shafi Uri described the Budget as the best possible within the resources available to the government. He said that Budget reflects a balanced approach, addressing the key social welfare concerns while ensuring fiscal prudence.
He highlighted fee waivers for the students from economically weaker families, free transport facilities for persons with disabilities among other things, in the budget.
Legislator Altaf Ahmad Wani said that no decision should be taken without the consent of the concerned MLA. He stressed the need for upgradation of the health sector in Anantnag district and raised concerns over the closure of Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Institute of Medical Excellence in Katra.
Legislator Balwant Singh Mankotia urged the government to fulfil promises made to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. He highlighted the need to address the issue of daily wagers.
In his address, MLA Mohammad Yousuf Rather (Tarigami) said that industrial development should be a priority for the government to create employment opportunities for the youth. He stressed that locals must be preferred for employment in industries set up in Jammu and Kashmir. He also raised the issues of daily wagers and persons with disabilities, seeking concrete measures to safeguard their rights and welfare.
MLA Shopian, Shabir Ahmad Kullay, said that the overall development and livelihoods of people in the region have been severely affected due to recent incidents. He appealed all Members of the House to maintain the decorum of the Assembly to ensure smooth and uninterrupted proceedings. He also demanded macadamization of roads, upgradation of tourism spots, filling of the vacant post of relief under KCC loans, establishment of Controlled Atmosphere (CA) stores and resolution of No Objection Certificate (NoC) issues by the Forest Department for road macadamization and upgradation in his constituency.
Participating in the debate, Legislator Ghulam Ahmad Mir welcomed the enhancement of Marriage Assistance Schemes, Old Age Pension and support for specially-abled persons in the last budget.
Mir demanded the regularisation of daily wagers and need-based employees, whose attendance data is available through biometric systems. He also sought construction of the Anantnag–Doda road, establishment of an ITI institute, completion of the Receiving Station at Dhudwajan, compensation for crops under KCC and early conduct of Panchayati elections to strengthen democracy at the grassroots level.
In his address, Legislator MLA Waheed ur Rehman Para expressed concern over rising unemployment among youth and urged the government to generate adequate employment opportunities for them. He proposed establishment of deemed universities in every district of Jammu and Kashmir to enable students to pursue higher education within their home districts. He also demanded establishment of a Cancer Hospital in J&K.
Joining the debate, Legislator Arvind Gupta demanded the subjects like brain drain should have been touched and addressed in the budget 2026-27. He also raised issues including water, tourism, employment and other issues in the house.
Speaking during the debate, MLA Daleep Singh said that the government should have announced packages of upgradation of power, tourism and agriculture sectors. He said that unconnected habitations and tourist spots should be connected through robust road network and also asked for upgradation of education facilities in his Constituency.
Speaking during the debate, MLA Javaid Ahmad Mirchal appreciated the Chief Minister for coming up with the pro-people budget terming it as a vision document for underprivileged and relief to all. He appreciated the army for active role and rescue during natural disasters and providing employment sources to the people in frontier areas of Karnah.
He asserted on tourism promotion and setting up required facilities, including cable care service in Karnah. He also demanded relief packages for the affected families, hit during unfavourable situation, better healthcare, including trauma hospital, education facilities, filing of vacancies and other facilities.
Speaking in favour of the Budget, Legislator Peerzada Feroze Ahmad said that it touches every sector and every section of the society. He highlighted that health, road network and other sectors have witnessed enormous boost and free bus service and restoration of Darbar Move are among the various promises which have been kept by this government.
Joining the debate, MLA Vijay Kumar demanded staff strengthening in sub district hospital and other healthcare facilities in Hiranagar Constituency. He also raised the issues related to education and power sectors.
Speaking in support of the Budget, MLA Iftikar Ahmad congratulated the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for people-friendly budget. He expressed gratitude for the Carh Lab facility at GMC Rajouri. Citing recent road accident in Rajouri, where in a youth lost his life, the Legislator said that there is a dire need of an air-ambulance service facility for the border areas.
He also said that tangible steps be taken for fast track filling up of vacant posts in different departments in Rajouri district.
Joining the debate, Legislator Dr Rameshwar Singh supported the Budget as people-centric. He said that it is historic that a first-of-its-kind event was held for tourism promotion in Bani.
He said that free education, six gas cylinders for the poor and other announcements are welcome and will help the end beneficiaries on the ground.
He appreciated the government for restoration of Darbar Move and urged that steps be taken for development of infrastructure for tourism promotion in Bani areas.
Speaking in support of the Budget, MLA Zafar Ali Khatana said that this government has provided road connectivity and water supply to various habitations which were unconnected for last 79 years.
He demanded that Warwan and Margan-Pass areas be brought on the tourist map for their promotion as tourist destinations. He also demanded upgradation of the 50-bedded hospital and establishment of trauma hospital for hassle-free health services to the patients in his Constituency. He also underlined the need to train the teachers for different subjects to cater to the demand in far flung areas.
Legislator Mohan Lal Bhagat said that Budget had no mention of issues related to employment and the regularisation of daily wagers. He added that the issues of Asha workers, chowkidars and others have also been left out.
He further said that tourism is the backbone of J&K’s economy and special focus should be given on this sector, particularly in Chenab and Pir Panjal areas of Jammu region.
Speaking in support of the Budget, Legislator, Ali Mohammad Dar appreciated the government for announcing various measures, including free education, adding that the facility of free gas cylinders is a revolutionary step of Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s administration.
He appreciated the government for various developmental initiatives undertaken in his Chadoora Constituency.
He demanded a complete ban on mining activities in Shaliganga Nallah in Chadoora and demanded upgradation of health facilities, work on irrigation project in his Constituency.
Joining the debate, MLA Shagun Parihar raised various issues related to her Constituency. She demanded improvement in power supply, health and upgradation of tourism infrastructure in Kishtwar.
