₹1.12-lakh-crore J&K budget focuses on key sectors, growth

Special thrust on strategic investments in infrastructure, agriculture, industry, healthcare, education, says Omar

- Ravi Krishnan Khajuria

JAMMU: Chief minister Omar Abdullah on Friday presented a zero-deficit budget in the Jammu and Kashmir legislative assembly, announcing an outlay of ₹1.12 lakh crore for the fiscal year 2025-2026 with focus on key sectors, including industry, health, education, digital governance and tourism.

In his 1.36-hour speech, the chief minister, who also holds the finance portfolio, also emphasised upon youth, food security, sports, power and women empowerment through a slew of welfare and development measures.

It was the first J&K budget in seven years since 2018 when the erstwhile PDP-BJP government tabled the then state's document of annual finances. Omar, who began with his speech with a Persian couplet — My entire body is covered with bruises, where should I apply the balm, described his budgetary proposals as a roadmap for economic growth and a true reflection of people's aspirations.

He heaped praise on Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union home minister Amit Shah and finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman for their support in various sectors to bring J&K's economy back on rails. "The net budget estimate for fiscal 2025-26 is ₹1,12,310 crore, excluding provisions for ways and means advances and overdrafts," Abdullah said. With a focus on a zero-deficit budget, he said, "The expected revenue receipts are ₹97,982 crore and capital receipts are ₹14,328 crore. Similarly, revenue expenditure is estimated to be ₹79,703 crore and capital expenditure ₹32,607 crore."