‘SASCI criticism devoid of merit; provided relief to poorest of poor’
Jammu, Feb 10: Stating that the budget is meant to heal wounds and provide relief to the poorest of the poor, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said the government will begin the process of regularising daily wagers this year.
Winding up the discussion on the budget in the J&K Assembly, the CM, as per news agency—Kashmir News Observer (KNO), said the government will start the process of regularisation of daily wagers this year.
The CM said that criticism of SASCI is devoid of merit, adding, “Those who are unable to understand the scheme are the ones commenting on it.”
“Jammu & Kashmir will receive an interest-free loan for 50 years. My young colleague accused us of pushing Jammu & Kashmir into a debt trap. If a loan of Rs 3000 crore were to become Rs 30000 crore 50 years down the line, it would indeed be irresponsible. But you should compare the value of the rupee today with its value 50 years from now. We did the calculations ourselves, and if we take Rs 3000 crore while keeping inflation figures in view, it will amount to only Rs 97 crore 50 years down the line. It will not even be Rs 100 crore then,” he said.
The CM said they have tried to heal wounds and provide relief to the poorest sections of society.
“Our effort was not only to touch major sectors but also to improve them. It is the responsibility of every government to first help the poorest of the poor and then reach out to other sections of society,” he said.
The CM announced that Jammu & Kashmir would provide gas cylinders to AAY families from its own resources.
“I want to put it on record that we will provide cylinders from our own funds. They will neither be given under any scheme nor will any help be sought from the Centre. This will be provided from the J&K budget,” the Chief Minister said.
He further said that scholarships for 6000 orphans, fee waivers for students belonging to AAY households, and free ridership for disabled persons are being funded from J&K’s resources.
The CM added that the budget is a roadmap to take Jammu & Kashmir out of the morass. “It is not easy to take Jammu & Kashmir forward,” he said.
He termed claims of budget shrinkage as untrue.
“It was said that we have spent only 12% of the budget. That is wrong. There are still two months left in this financial year. Salaries and pensions will be disbursed, and capital expenditure till last month was 36%. We will reach the last year’s capital expenditure figures by March 31,” he said, adding that revenue expenditure was higher last year because loans were settled.
The CM also said that tourist destinations closed after the Pahalgam attack would be reopened in the next few months.
“I want to assure the House that I have taken up the matter with the Union Government,” he said. (KNO)
