Women, tourism in focus as J&K gets 1st budget in 6 yrs

Jammu and Kashmir chief minister Omar Abdullah on Friday presented the Union territory's first budget in the assembly with a total outlay of ₹1.12 lakh crore for 2025-26, proposing a slew of multi-sector welfare and development initiatives focused on health, education, tourism, youth, and women empowerment.

- Ravi Krishnan Khajuria

In his 96-minute speech, Abdullah, who also holds the finance portfolio, said J&K is at the threshold of a new era of peace and prosperity, and praised Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union home minister Amit Shah and Union finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman for their support in various sectors.

Starting his speech with the Persian couplet, "My entire body is covered with bruises where should I apply the balm", the National Conference (NC) leader described his budgetary proposals as a "roadmap for economic growth" and "a true reflection of people's aspirations".

"The total net budget estimates for fiscal 2025-26 are ₹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."