Budget should reflect aspirations of people: CM

Jammu, Jan 21: For the second consecutive day, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah Wednesday held pre-budget consultations with several key departments to assess priorities, sectoral needs and development imperatives for the upcoming Budget Session of the Jammu & Kashmir Legislative Assembly, scheduled to begin on February 2.
The Chief Minister, who also holds the portfolio of Finance Minister, chaired extensive deliberations with the departments of Social Welfare, Health & Medical Education, School Education, Higher Education, Public Works (Roads & Buildings), Mining, Industries & Commerce and Labour.
The meetings were attended by Deputy Chief Minister Surinder Kumar Choudhary and Minister for Health & Medical Education, Social Welfare, School Education and Higher Education, Sakeena Itoo.
The consultative meetings were also attended by Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta, Additional Chief Secretary PWD Anil Kumar Singh, Principal Secretary Finance Santosh D. Vaidya, Administrative Secretaries of Social Welfare, Health & Medical Education, School Education, Higher Education, Public Works (Roads & Buildings), Mining, Industries & Commerce and Labour, besides senior officers of the Finance Department and other concerned officials.
During the meetings, the Chief Minister reviewed sector-wise progress, ongoing projects, budget utilisation and future requirements. He emphasised the need for realistic and outcome-oriented budgeting, ensuring that public funds are directed towards priority sectors that directly impact the lives of the people.
Directing the departments to adopt a people-centric and performance-driven approach, the Chief Minister said that the upcoming budget must focus on strengthening healthcare and education infrastructure, expanding social security coverage, improving road connectivity, promoting industrial growth and generating employment opportunities for the youth.
He stressed that departments must ensure timely completion of projects, transparency in execution and efficient service delivery. “The budget should reflect the aspirations of the people of Jammu and Kashmir and must focus on inclusive growth, balanced regional development and sustainable economic progress,” the Chief Minister said.
He further directed the departments to submit well-structured and need-based proposals, aligned with the government’s development roadmap and fiscal discipline.
Yesterday, the Chief Minister began pre-budget discussions with nine key departments. The consultative process will conclude on January 22 with the remaining departments.
These pre-budget consultations are aimed at finalising a comprehensive, growth-oriented and people friendly budget for Jammu and Kashmir.