Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 16: Today, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah convened pre-budget consultations with local representatives from Jammu district at a gathering held at the Civil Secretariat.
The meeting welcomed Minister Satish Sharma, the Chairman of the District Development Council (DDC), Jammu’s Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs), Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary to the CM Dheeraj Gupta, and Principal Secretary Finance Santosh D Vaidya; with some MLAs participating virtually via video conference.
Addressing the attendees, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah highlighted the significance of collaborating with elected representatives in the budget formulation process to ensure that the community’s desires and needs are comprehensively addressed.
“While we could have prepared the budget in isolation, we are engaging with elected officials to make sure that the community’s needs and ambitions are acknowledged,” the Chief Minister remarked.
He recognized that public representatives have a grasp of local dynamics and have engaged with the populace during their electoral campaigns.
“During your campaigns, you traveled extensively through your constituencies and interacted with the community. You have a firsthand understanding of their challenges and requests because of your direct connection to them. This is why I opted to conduct these consultations,” he added.
He expressed optimism that these discussions would significantly influence the budget and effectively address the community’s paramount concerns. During the consultations, the DDC Chairman and MLAs presented various demands and issues affecting their constituencies, underscoring the necessity for enhancements in irrigation systems and ensuring access to safe drinking water in numerous locations.
Many representatives expressed concerns about the deteriorating road conditions, the need for bridge constructions, and the overall improvement of infrastructure to enhance connectivity. The discussions also encompassed health care advancements and the establishment of new educational institutions among various other topics.
Furthermore, representatives voiced worries regarding drainage and sewer management, particularly in urban and semi-urban regions, advocating for a modernized drainage system to avert waterlogging and sanitation complications.
The alarming increase in drug addiction was another pressing topic, with requests for the establishment of de-addiction facilities, awareness programs, and stricter enforcement initiatives. Several members also called for the enhancement of sports infrastructure, including the building of stadiums, playgrounds, and training centers to foster youth involvement in athletic activities.
Tourism development emerged as another key area of focus, with suggestions to promote local attractions, enhance visitor amenities, and develop new tourism circuits to boost the local economy.
The public representatives expressed their gratitude to Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for launching the pre-budget consultations, noting that it was the first time they had been actively included in the budget development process.
Earlier, the Deputy Commissioner of Jammu presented a comprehensive sector-wise proposal based on feedback from the MLAs. These proposals addressed various sectors of development, including rural and urban growth, public works, irrigation, health care, education, and social welfare.
Special emphasis was placed on flood protection initiatives, groundwater conservation, and reinforcing the Jal Shakti Department to tackle water shortages.
