Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 6: For the second consecutive day, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah engaged in pre-budget consultations with key stakeholders, emphasizing the importance of feedback from public representatives who are closely connected to the community.
As part of this initiative, the Chief Minister held a series of consultative meetings with District Development Council (DDC) Chairpersons and Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) from the districts of Baramulla, Udhampur, Kulgam, and Ramban.
In his address to the participants, the Chief Minister reaffirmed the Government’s dedication to an inclusive budget process. “While the Assembly may approve the budget, it should not be developed in isolation. Our objective is to ensure that the proposals from people’s representatives, including DDC Chairpersons and MLAs, are taken into account and that their needs and aspirations are reflected in the budget,” he stated.
He further explained that such consultations provide valuable insights into real-world issues, enabling the Government to create policies that effectively respond to public concerns. “These discussions will assist us not only in immediate budget planning but also in long-term policy development, ensuring that governance priorities align with the people’s needs,” he added.
During the meeting, DDC Chairpersons and MLAs from the relevant districts outlined their key demands. The attendees brought forward significant issues concerning infrastructure, including roads, healthcare, power supply, rural development, water availability, education, sports facilities, recruitment, irrigation and flood control, as well as animal husbandry.
Moreover, discussions also encompassed urban development concerns, forest clearances, combating drug issues, promoting tourism, solid and liquid waste management, parking facilities, and various new development projects.
MLAs emphasized the necessity for effective execution of Water Supply Schemes in major towns under AMRUT 2.0 and urged the resolution of issues related to work tenders to ensure proper utilization of funds under JJM. Other key issues raised included the enhancement of power infrastructure, solid waste management, staffing needs for hospitals and Primary Health Centers, physical audits of school infrastructure, conservation of Wullar Lake, flood protection measures, establishment of fire service stations in rural areas, alleviation of congestion in district headquarters, parking solutions, and the construction of mini-secretariat buildings in districts and sub-districts.
The meeting was attended both in-person and virtually by Ministers Sakina Itoo from D.H Pora, Javed Ahmad Dar from the Rafiabad Assembly constituency, and Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani.
Also present were Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta, Principal Secretary Finance Santosh D Vaidya, Director General Budget, Director General Expenditure Division-I, alongside MLAs, DDC Chairpersons, and Deputy Commissioners from the respective districts.
