SRINAGAR: The Government of India on Saturday unveiled an allocation of โน41,000.07 crore for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir in the fiscal plan for 2025-26. This financial provision, part of the broader resource distribution for Union Territories, was outlined in the Union Budget presented by the Ministry of Finance.
Budgetary documents reveal that the funding for Jammu and Kashmir remains static, with no increase compared to the previous year. Of the total amount, โน40,619.30 crore has been reserved as central fiscal assistance to bridge the regionโs budgetary deficit.
Additionally, the Centre has allotted โน9,325.73 crore exclusively for the Jammu and Kashmir Police, which operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs. A breakdown of this figure shows that โน8,897.72 crore is assigned for operational expenses, while โน428.01 crore is allocated for infrastructure and capital development. These funds aim to support the administrative, functional, and security-related responsibilities of the police force, which plays a critical role in law enforcement and traffic regulation across the Union Territory.
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Since the 2024-25 fiscal year, the budget for the J&K Police has been integrated into the Union Budget. While the central government describes this move as an act of financial support, opposition leaders argue that it reflects the Centreโs continued administrative dominance over Jammu and Kashmirโs internal affairs.
This approach aligns with the provisions of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, through which the central government assumed legislative authority over police and public order matters in the region. Section 28 of the Act specifies that although the Legislative Assembly of Jammu and Kashmir can enact laws on subjects listed in the State List, areas such as โPublic Orderโ and โPoliceโ remain under the exclusive jurisdiction of the Union Government as outlined in the Concurrent List of the Indian Constitutionโs Seventh Schedule.
Reacting sharply to the Union Budget allocations, Peoples Conference chief Sajad Gani Lone slammed former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday. In a sarcastic post on X, Lone suggested that Abdullah should consider reclaiming the shawls he had previously gifted to Union Ministers and rethink his optimistic remarks during a public event in Sonamarg, Ganderbal district.
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Highlighting the budget figures, Lone noted, โThe proposed allocation for J&K is around โน41,000 crore, which is roughly โน1,000 crore less than last year. When adjusted for inflation, the actual decrease amounts to โน2,000 to โน3,000 crore.โ
Taking a pointed jab, Lone remarked, โItโs probably time for the former Chief Minister to politely request the return of those shawls he enthusiastically draped over the shoulders of senior BJP leaders. Perhaps he should also revisit the overly cheerful weather commentary he made in Sonamarg.โ
Not holding back, Lone added, โOn a more serious note, dear CM sahibโbeing a Chief Minister is about more than skiing trips and photo ops. Itโs a solemn duty that demands dedication and tangible results. The people voted for a leader who delivers, not someone acting as a glorified courier.โ
