J&K Budget Session 2026: Government Highlights Livestock Safety, Urban Growth, and Pro-Worker Policies
JAMMU, FEBRUARY 17, 2026 — The ongoing Budget Session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly saw a flurry of administrative updates today as the government addressed critical issues ranging from disaster recovery in Bandipora to the digital transformation of the power sector.
Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary, representing Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, informed the House that the government achieved 100% vaccination coverage for livestock in Bandipora district following the 2025 natural calamities.
To prevent outbreaks of Foot and Mouth Disease and Lumpy Skin Disease, the Department of Animal/Sheep Husbandry deployed Mobile Veterinary Units via a toll-free helpline (1962), ensuring doorstep healthcare for affected farmers while disbursing over ₹1.26 lakh in relief for crop and livestock losses under SDRF norms.
Urban Development and Tourism Expansion:- On the urban governance front, Minister for Education Sakeena Itoo clarified that there are no plans to de-notify the Seer-Hamdan Municipal Committee, citing its strategic importance on the Amarnathji Shrine route and its demographic growth to over 11,000 residents.
Simultaneously, Minister for Agriculture and Rural Development Javid Ahmad Dar confirmed that Kupwara district remains under the jurisdiction of the Lolab-Bangus Development Authority (LBDA). While the government acknowledges the rising popularity of offbeat spots like Keran and Jamgand, there is no immediate proposal for a separate authority, as the LBDA currently oversees the region’s vast tourism potential.Labor Rights and Power Sector ModernizationThe government also reaffirmed its commitment to social security, with Minister Sakeena Itoo outlining pro-gender and pro-labour policies that provide contractual employees with 180 days of maternity leave and 15 days of annual casual leave.
In the energy sector, Minister Javed Ahmad Rana announced that Hiranagar Municipal Committee is on track for 100% smart metering by September 2026 under the RDSS scheme. This transition aims to reduce AT&C losses below 15%, which is the prerequisite for achieving uninterrupted power supply and ending the era of flat-rate billing.