Jammu: Asserting the budget to be passed in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly should not be framed in isolation, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Thursday emphasized the aim of these consultations is to ensure that the proposals of people’s representatives are considered and their needs and aspirations are reflected in the budget.
According to an official press release, Abdullah highlighted that such consultations provide a clear picture of ground realities, enabling the government to formulate policies that effectively address public concerns.
For the second consecutive day on Thursday, the chief minister conducted pre-budget consultations with stakeholders, emphasizing the critical role of feedback from public representatives who maintain direct connections with people.
As part of these efforts, he held a series of consultative meetings with the District Development Council (DDC) chairpersons and Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs) from Baramulla, Udhampur, Kulgam and Ramban districts.
Addressing the participants, the chief minister reiterated the government’s commitment to an inclusive budget-making process. “The Assembly may pass the budget, but it should not be framed in isolation. Our aim is to ensure that the proposals of people’s representatives, including DDC Chairpersons and MLAs, are considered and their needs and aspirations are reflected in the budget,” he stated.
He further highlighted that such consultations provide a clear picture of ground realities, enabling the government to formulate policies that effectively address public concerns. “These discussions will not only help us in short-term budget planning but will also contribute to long-term policy formulation, ensuring that governance priorities align with the needs of the people,” he added.
During the meeting, DDC chairpersons and MLAs of the concerned districts presented demands prioritized by them. The participants raised key issues and demands related to roads, health infrastructure, power supply infrastructure, rural development, water supply, education, sports facilities, recruitment, irrigation & flood control and animal husbandry.
Additionally, concerns regarding urban development, forest clearances, drug menace, tourism promotion, solid liquid waste management, parking facilities and new development projects were also discussed.
MLAs also underlined the need for effective implementation of water supply schemes in main towns under AMRUT 2.0 and called for sorting out issues in tendering of works so that funds under JJM are utilized. Among other issues & demands, the upgradation of power infrastructure, solid waste management, providing critical staff to hospitals & PHCs, physical audit of building infrastructure in schools, Wullar lake conservation, flood protection works, setting up of fire service stations in rural areas, decongestion of district headquarters, parking facilities and construction of mini-secretariat buildings in districts and sub districts were proposed by MLAs and DDC chairpersons.
The meeting was attended, both in person and virtually by Ministers Sakina Itoo representing D.H Pora, Javed Ahmad Dar, representing the Rafiabad Assembly Constituency and Advisor to the Chief Minister Nasir Aslam Wani.
Also present were Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta, Principal Secretary Finance Santosh D Vaidya, Director General Budget, Director General Expenditure Division-I as well as, MLAs, DDC chairpersons and Deputy Commissioners from the respective districts.
The Chief Minister thanked the public representatives for their suggestions and insights, and emphasized that the primary objective of these meetings is to formulate a people-centric budget by incorporating their valuable input and listening to their feedback.
Yesterday, as part of the ongoing consultations, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had held similar meetings with public representatives from Anantnag, Kathua, Samba and Budgam districts in which demand for various development projects and budgetary requirements were discussed.
CM releases JKAS officer’s book
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah here on Wednesday released a book titled “Hearts and Heroes: Lives that Shaped Us”, a poetic narrative on famous personalities authored by Kulbhushan Kumar, JKAS officer presently posted as Director Finance in Disaster Management Relief & Rehabilitation Department.
The event was attended by colleagues and friends of the author at a brief function held at Civil Secretariat Jammu, an official press release informed.
It said ‘Hearts and Heroes’ is a collection of poems that pays tribute to visionaries, leaders, and unsung heroes whose lives have left an indelible mark on humanity.
The book emphasizes power of love, kindness, and determination, drawing inspiration from global icons described in the poems on eminent personalities.
In his comments, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah praised the author for his literary pursuits while balancing his demanding role as a civil servant. The author hails from the village Birnoo in Jammu and Kashmir and his book ‘Hearts and Heroes’ has been published by Authors press.
