Mubashir Aalam Wani
Srinagar, Feb 4: In a significant move, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who is also the Minister in-charge of the Finance Department, is holding pre-budget consultations with members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) and District Development Council (DDC) chairpersons from Wednesday.
Sources said that ahead of the Union Territory’s budget, Omar Abdullah has decided to hold consultations with all MLAs, DDC chairpersons, and deputy commissioners.
To begin with, the CM will hold consultations with MLAs of four districts each on Wednesday and Thursday. “He will hold consultations with MLAs and DDC chairpersons of Anantnag, Budgam, Kathua, and Samba districts tomorrow and will hold similar meetings with legislators of Baramulla, Kulgam, Ramban, and Udhampur on Thursday,” a minister, wishing to remain anonymous, said.
He said these meetings are aimed at making the budget more inclusive and participatory. “These meetings are held to get inputs from MLAs about priority-sector works and ensure that the needs and aspirations of the people are reflected in the budget,” he said.
He added that these meetings are being held after MLAs identified priority—sector works to the tune of Rs 40 crore in their respective constituencies. “The list of these priority-sector works has been submitted by DCs to the government,” he said.
It is worthwhile to mention that Jammu & Kashmir’s budget will be presented in the Assembly next month. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who is also the Minister in-charge of the Finance Department, will present the budget.
