Jammu, Jan 21: Emphasising fiscal discipline, Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Wednesday directed all departments to submit well-structured, need-based proposals consistent with the government’s development roadmap.
For the second consecutive day, Abdullah held consultations with key departments to assess priorities, sectoral needs and development imperatives for the upcoming budget session of the J&K Legislative Assembly, scheduled to begin on February 2. The chief minister, who also holds the finance portfolio, chaired deliberations with the departments of social welfare, health and medical education, school and higher education, public works (roads and buildings), mining, industries and commerce, and labour.
He asked departments to frame proposals aligned with the development roadmap and fiscal discipline, stressing timely completion of projects, transparency in execution and efficient service delivery. Abdullah said the budget should reflect people’s aspirations and focus on inclusive growth, balanced regional development and sustainable economic progress.
The chief minister reviewed sector-wise progress, ongoing projects, budget utilisation and future requirements, underlining realistic and outcome-oriented budgeting so that public funds go to priority sectors that directly impact people’s lives. He said the budget must prioritise strengthening healthcare and education infrastructure, expanding social security, improving road connectivity, promoting industrial growth and generating employment opportunities for youth.
Abdullah had begun pre-budget discussions with nine key departments on Tuesday and the consultative process will conclude on Thursday with the remaining departments, an official spokesman said. The consultations aim to finalise a comprehensive, growth-oriented and people-friendly budget for the Union Territory.
