Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference president and Handwara MLA Sajad Lone on Tuesday mounted a sharp critique of the recently presented Jammu and Kashmir Budget in the Assembly, describing it as a “bureaucratic” document lacking political vision and effective implementation.
Calling it the first budget under full political oversight since 2018, Lone said it did not reflect the ruling party’s manifesto promises. “When there is an elected government, there is a mark of politics on the budget. That mark is not visible,” he said, adding that the opposition would continue to question the absence of promised measures.
He pointed to what he termed the weak execution of past announcements, citing a gap of around ₹13,000 crore between budget estimates and revised estimates. Lone also expressed concern over the expenditure pattern, noting that nearly 70 per cent of allocations were revenue expenditure while only 30 per cent were for capital spending, which he said would hamper long-term asset creation.
The legislator highlighted the Union Territory’s financial dependence, stating that a major share of receipts came through central assistance, centrally sponsored schemes and borrowings, limiting fiscal autonomy.
Lone also criticised the government’s six-cylinder subsidy announcement, arguing that the manifesto promise of 12 cylinders for economically weaker sections had been diluted. He claimed the financial outlay was far lower than what had been projected and alleged the subsidy was being funded by reducing rebates on diesel used in public transport.
On social sector commitments, he said the promise of free education up to graduation had also been curtailed, leaving a large number of families outside its ambit.
Raising employment concerns, Lone questioned the government’s claim of creating 7,500 jobs last year and strongly opposed the outsourcing of around 24,000 posts. He warned that outsourcing government jobs would have serious social and economic consequences in the absence of a social security system.
The MLA further alleged that excessive regulatory procedures and a “NOC culture” were discouraging investment. He called Jammu and Kashmir a “highly over-regulated economy” and urged the government to review orders issued over the past six years that centralised approvals.
Emphasising the need for economic reforms, Lone advocated deregulation and decentralisation to attract investors and said sectors such as tourism and horticulture had significant potential if properly supported.
He maintained that the region required policy changes to stimulate investment and employment, warning that continued over-regulation could hamper economic growth.
