JAMMU, Feb 5: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah reaffirmed his government’s promise to deliver a budget that prioritizes the needs of the people in Jammu & Kashmir. He highlighted that the active participation of public representatives in the budget process is essential to reflect the aspirations and necessities of the populace.
During a series of pre-budget consultations held at the civil secretariat in Jammu, Chief Minister Abdullah was joined via video conferencing by Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) from Anantnag, Budgam, Kathua, and Samba districts, as well as District Development Council Chairpersons. He underscored the importance of such engagements in promoting participatory governance.
Advocate Abdul Rahim Rather, the Speaker of the J&K Legislative Assembly and representative of the Charar-i-Sharief Constituency, also took part in the meeting virtually from his office.
In his remarks, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah stated, “The main purpose of these consultations is to obtain important suggestions from key stakeholders prior to finalizing the budget. We intend to ensure that this budget represents not just the government’s views, but also the people’s. Your concerns will be heard because you are the voices of Jammu & Kashmir.”
He asserted that the forthcoming budget will extend beyond government concerns. “You have all been elected because the people trust you. Their expectations rest on your leadership, and through this meeting, we strive to synchronize the budget priorities with the aspirations of those who participated in the election process,” he conveyed to the elected officials, including DDC chairpersons and MLAs.
The Chief Minister assured the MLAs and DDC Chairpersons that their contributions are vital in shaping the upcoming budget, emphasizing the government’s commitment to involving elected representatives in critical decision-making.
“These consultations are not merely a one-time event. We aim to maintain ongoing coordination with the people’s representatives, ensuring transparency and inclusion in governance,” he stated. Addressing the participants, he reassured, “This consultation process will persist, and we will meet with you regularly to address your concerns and offer all possible support.” Chief Minister Omar Abdullah expressed confidence that the upcoming budget session in the J&K Assembly would showcase a collective commitment to serving the populace with dedication and integrity. “Together, we will work to enhance the socio-economic conditions of our citizens and promote sustainable development throughout J&K,” he added.
During earlier consultation sessions, the DDC Chairpersons and MLAs from the four districts raised various issues and projects needing urgent attention in the upcoming budget. Significant concerns included road widening initiatives, new road developments, improvements to sports infrastructure, upgrades to health and educational institutions, access to clean drinking water, tourism development, bolstering healthcare services with sufficient staffing, and establishing new colleges and schools within their constituencies.
The elected representatives expressed their appreciation for Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for initiating these consultations, acknowledging the government’s efforts to integrate grassroots perspectives into the budget framework.
The meeting was attended by Advisor to the CM Nasir Aslam Wani, Additional Chief Secretary Dheeraj Gupta, Principal Secretary Finance Santosh D Vaidya, Director General Budget J&K, Deputy Commissioners from Kathua, Samba, Anantnag, and Budgam districts, along with DDC chairpersons, MLAs, and other senior officials, both in person and virtually.
