The Stormy Budget Session of Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly
The upcoming budget session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly is anticipated to be tumultuous as political parties gear up to challenge the government on its election promises, especially regarding the restoration of statehood.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who also serves as the finance minister, is scheduled to present the budget on February 6, following his inaugural budget presentation last year on March 7.
The fifth session of the Assembly, spanning 27 days over a three-month period with double sittings, will kick off with an address by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on February 2.
Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather confirmed that all necessary arrangements for the session have been finalized to ensure smooth proceedings and efficient use of time. Security measures have been coordinated with relevant officials, and media representatives have been briefed on the session’s proceedings.
An all-party meeting was convened to discuss ways to make the session more beneficial for the public, with the Business Advisory Committee finalizing the schedule. The Question Hour was emphasized as a crucial platform for holding the government accountable, with the Speaker urging members to utilize it effectively.
The opposition’s role in scrutinizing the government and ensuring accountability was highlighted, with an emphasis on constructive criticism based on substantial grounds.
This will mark the second budget of the National Conference government under Omar Abdullah’s leadership, following the end of Central rule in October 2024.
The budget session is set to conclude on April 4 in three phases, with the presentation of the budget for the financial year 2026-27 and the Supplementary Statement of Expenditure for 2025-26 on February 6. Opposition parties are gearing up to question the government on its poll promises and last year’s budget commitments.
Expectations are high for a contentious session, with opposition parties poised to challenge the administration on various issues such as governance, job creation, and public welfare measures. The session is likely to witness intense debates on regularisation of daily wagers, demolition drives, and alleged discrimination.
Overall, the budget session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly promises to be a platform for robust discussions and debates on critical issues affecting the region, with political parties gearing up to hold the government accountable for its actions and promises.
