SRINAGAR : Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday presented his first zero-deficit budget and the regionโs first in seven years in the J&K Assembly. With an outlay of โน1.12 lakh crore for 2025-26, the budget focuses on multi-sectoral welfare and the overall development of the Union Territory.
Major Announcements
- 200 Units Free Electricity: Families under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) category will receive 200 units of free power, fulfilling a key National Conference (NC) manifesto promise. Abdullah reiterated his commitment to making J&K self-sufficient in power generation within two years.
- Free Public Transport for Women: In a significant move on the eve of International Womenโs Day, the CM declared free ridership for all women on government-run buses, including e-buses.
- Zero Stamp Duty: Property transfers among blood relatives will now have zero stamp duty, making inheritance and family transactions more affordable.
- Marriage Assistance for AAY Girls: Financial aid for girls under the AAY category has been raised from โน50,000 to โน75,000 to support economically weaker families.
- 98 Water Testing Labs: New labs will be set up across J&K to ensure clean and safe drinking water for residents.
- New Helipads & Connectivity Boost: Six new helipads will be constructed at a cost of โน10 crore to improve accessibility in remote areas.
- Healthcare Expansion:
- โน86 crore allocated for a 250-bed Maternity & Child Care Hospital (MCCH) in Anantnag, within the Government Medical College (GMC) premises.
- All district hospitals to get CT scan facilities, with โน110 crore earmarked for procurement.
- New AIIMS & Nursing Colleges: Two AIIMS institutions and ten nursing colleges will be established to strengthen healthcare infrastructure.
- โน5 lakh health insurance coverage for all citizens, with telemedicine services set to expand across the region.
- MRI machines in all government hospitals, three new Cath Labs, and dialysis services in all district hospitals.
Economic Growth & Financial Challenges
J&Kโs economy has expanded from โน1.64 lakh crore (2019-20) to โน2.45 lakh crore (2023-24). However, power sector debt remains a major concern, with โน28,000 crore borrowed due to high Aggregate Technical & Commercial (AT&C) losses, pushing public debt to 52% of the Gross State Domestic Product (GSDP).
- Fuel Tax Adjustments: The rebate on petrol is reduced by โน1 per litre, diesel by โน2 per litre, and tax on aviation turbine fuel (ATF) is increased to 5%.
Agriculture & Industry Initiatives
- โน815 crore allocated to agriculture, aiming to generate 2.88 lakh jobs and boost horticulture and wool processing.
- 64 new industrial estates planned, along with price preference policies for local traders.
- Seven more local products to receive Geographical Indication (GI) tagging, including Pashmina and handicrafts.
Tourism & Infrastructure Development
- โน390.20 crore for tourism, with a focus on homestays, water sports, and adventure tourism.
- Sonmarg to be developed as a winter sports hub, and a water park to be built in Sidhra, Jammu.
- Basholi to be transformed into an adventure tourism hotspot.
- Kashmir Marathon drew 1,800 international participants, boosting the global appeal of J&Kโs tourism sector.
Governance & Social Development
- 500 new Panchayat Ghars to strengthen local governance.
- Press clubs in Jammu and Kashmir to ensure journalist freedom and better media infrastructure.
- A new film policy will make J&K a hub for film production and eco-tourism.
Commitment to Transparency & Statehood
Abdullah emphasized transparency in welfare schemes and economic reforms. The budget reflects efforts to reduce regional disparities, empower youth and women, and restore J&Kโs statehood.
Expressing gratitude to the Prime Minister, Home Minister, and Finance Minister, he acknowledged their role in supporting J&Kโs development.
