J&K Budget 2025: Key announcements by Omar Abdullah.
J&K Budget 2025: Key announcements by Omar Abdullah.

Summary

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah presented a โ‚น1.12 lakh crore zero-deficit budget for 2025-26, marking the regionโ€™s first in seven years. The budget emphasizes economic growth, welfare schemes, womenโ€™s empowerment, healthcare advancements, and infrastructure development, setting the stage for a progressive J&K.

SRINAGAR : Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday presented his first zero-deficit budget and the regionโ€™s first in seven years in the J&K Assembly. With an outlay of โ‚น1.12 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 Womenโ€™s 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 โ‚น50,000 to โ‚น75,000 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 โ‚น10 crore to improve accessibility in remote areas.
  • Healthcare Expansion:
  • โ‚น86 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 โ‚น110 crore earmarked for procurement.
  • New AIIMS & Nursing Colleges: Two AIIMS institutions and ten nursing colleges will be established to strengthen healthcare infrastructure.
  • โ‚น5 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&Kโ€™s economy has expanded from โ‚น1.64 lakh crore (2019-20) to โ‚น2.45 lakh crore (2023-24). However, power sector debt remains a major concern, with โ‚น28,000 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 โ‚น1 per litre, diesel by โ‚น2 per litre, and tax on aviation turbine fuel (ATF) is increased to 5%.

 

Agriculture & Industry Initiatives

  • โ‚น815 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

  • โ‚น390.20 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&Kโ€™s 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&Kโ€™s statehood.

Expressing gratitude to the Prime Minister, Home Minister, and Finance Minister, he acknowledged their role in supporting J&Kโ€™s development.