J&K govt seeks spl package in Union Budget

THE J&K GOVT HAS PETITIONED FOR MORE CENTRAL FUNDS FOR PROJECTS LINKED TO AGRICULTURE, TOURISM, AND INDUSTRIES

- Rajeev Jayaswal and Smriti Kak Ramachandran

NEW DELHI: Jammu & Kashmir has urged the central government to provide a special package for the Union territory in the upcoming budget, including Goods and Services Tax refunds for industrial units, interest subvention for capital expenditure and grants for infrastructure development to boost its economy, people familiar with the development said.

J&K has been one of the focus areas in every budget over the last 10 years and the same is expected in the forthcoming Union budget scheduled to be presented on February 1, two officials said, requesting anonymity. Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman has already held a pre-budget consultation with J&K chief minister Omar Abdullah earlier this month, they said.