Srinagar, February 11: Continuing his engagement with various stakeholders, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today chaired a pre-budget consultation meeting here at the Civil Secretariat.
The session focused on understanding the perspectives of representative bodies from various sectors ahead of the upcoming Budget Session of the J&K Assembly.
Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani, Chief Secretary Atal Dulloo, Additional Chief Secretary Higher Education Shantamanu, Additional Chief Secretary to the CM Dheeraj Gupta, Principal Secretary Finance Santosh D Vaidya, Commissioner Secretary Industries & Commerce, Commissioner Secretary Youth Services & Sports along with heads of departments and senior officers from various departments, attended the meeting both in person and virtually.
During the discussions, stakeholders from diverse sectors including industrialists, traders, hoteliers, travel & tour operators, tourism players, educationists, sportspersons, agriculturists, horticulturists, entrepreneurs and representatives of industry & trade bodies like FCIK, KCCI, CII, PHD Chamber shared their inputs and suggestions for the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir Budget 2025-26.
During the deliberations, key demands were projected by stakeholders pertaining to framing of one consolidated industrial policy, upgradation of Industrial estates, connecting IGC Lassipora with National Highway, power amnesty to industrial units, crop insurance for horticulture produce, conservation of wetlands, incentivizing cherry, walnut & apricot plantation, PPP model in health sector, preservation of houseboats, free hold rights to industrial units, setting up of multi-disciplinary institutions, higher education clusters, autonomous degree colleges, establishing skill development university, creating parking lots in downtown Srinagar and other towns, decongestion of tourist places, solid waste management in tourist resorts, maintenance of stadiums & playgrounds, setting up of sports academies and increase in promotion & publicity budget for tourism.
Addressing the participants, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah emphasized that these consultations have become a key part of this government’s pre-budget exercise, aimed at gathering insights from multiple sectors to shape effective policies and allocate resources efficiently.
The Chief Minister patiently listened to all stakeholders, underscoring the importance of these discussions in addressing economic challenges and promoting growth. He reiterated the government’s commitment to presenting a budget that aligns with public needs and aspirations.
To ensure a people-centric budget, the Chief Minister noted that extensive pre-budget consultations have been conducted. So far, he has engaged with public representatives, including Chairpersons of District Development Councils (DDCs) and Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) from ten districts—Anantnag, Baramulla, Budgam, Pulwama and Kulgam in Kashmir division and Udhampur, Ramban, Kathua, Reasi and Samba in Jammu division.
Additionally, consultation meetings have already been held with various stakeholders from Jammu, including representatives from industry & trade, tourism, hotel & hospitality, education, social welfare, tribal affairs, youth affairs, and agriculture sectors.
