JAMMU, FEBRUARY 07, 2026: The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Saturday initiated a high-stakes general discussion on the Budget 2026-27, presented a day prior by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. Opening the debate, Legislator Javid Hassan Baig lauded the budget as a “pro-people” document designed to meet the evolving aspirations of the Union Territory’s citizens despite persistent administrative challenges.
Supporting this sentiment, MLA Dr. Shafi Ahmad Wani and MLA Ghulam Mohi-ud-din Mir characterized the budget as an inclusive framework that seeks to address the needs of all societal sections within the constraints of limited fiscal resources.
Key highlights praised by various members included the landmark announcement of regularizing daily wagers, the provision of free gas cylinders for Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) families, and the proposed crop insurance for farmers.
However, the session also saw legislators pushing for deeper institutional reforms and specialized attention to grassroots issues. MLA Devyani Rana, in her maiden speech, emphasized that local feedback must be institutionalized rather than treated as a formality, specifically calling for accessibility features like ramps for disabled persons in the proposed free bus service and addressing staff shortages in the Power Development Department.
Meanwhile, MLA Nizam-ud-Din Bhat and MLA Javaid Iqbal Choudhary advocated for tribal empowerment, environmental protection, and the establishment of industrial corridors.
Concerns regarding regional protections were also prominent, with MLA Muzaffar Iqbal Khan demanding safeguards for land and jobs, while MLA Sunil Bhardwaj called for a more defined policy on the rehabilitation of Kashmiri Pandits and increased capital investment to spur revenue generation.
The debate further touched upon infrastructure and transparency, with MLA Vikram Randhawa highlighting the struggles of local transporters and MLA Hilal Akbar Lone praising the focus on filling government vacancies.
Amidst the varied perspectives, MLA Yudhvir Sethi noted the significant role of Central Government funding in driving the UT’s development. Throughout the proceedings, members like Choudhary Mohammad Akram and MLA Kuldeep Raj Dubey urged for a collective, non-partisan approach to governance, reminding the House that the public is closely monitoring their ability to translate these budgetary allocations into tangible progress for the border villages, health sectors, and educational institutions of Jammu and Kashmir.
