LSrinagar, Jan 24 (KNO): As part of the ongoing pre-budget consultations for the Budget Session 2026–27, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Saturday continued his engagement with Members of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly from South and North Kashmir districts at the Civil Secretariat here.
The meeting was attended by Ministers Sakina Itoo, Javaid Ahmad Dar and Satish Sharma, Additional Chief Secretary to the Chief Minister Dheeraj Gupta, Principal Secretary Finance Santosh D. Vaidya, Deputy Commissioners of the concerned districts, senior officers of the Finance Department and other concerned officials.
During the meeting, legislators from South Kashmir districts—Anantnag, Pulwama, Kulgam and Shopian—submitted various proposals focusing on infrastructure development and citizen-centric welfare initiatives in their respective constituencies. Similarly, MLAs from North Kashmir districts including Kupwara, Baramulla and Bandipora presented their demands and suggestions before the Chief Minister, seeking adequate budgetary allocations in the Budget 2026–27 for developmental works and public welfare initiatives.
The MLAs from South Kashmir districts who participated, both in person and virtually, included Peerzada Mohammad Syed, Ghulam Ahmad Mir, Bashir Ahmad Shah Veeri, Abdul Majeed Bhat, Altaf Ahmad Wani, Riyaz Ahmad Khan, Waheed-ur-Rehman Para, Hasnain Masoodi, Ghulam Mohi-ud-Din Mir, Rafiq Ahmad Naik, Mohammad Yousuf Tarigami, Peerzada Feroze Ahmad, Shabir Ahmad Kullay, Zaffar Ali Khattana and Showkat Ahmad Ganai.
Similarly, MLAs who participated from North Kashmir districts included Saifullah Mir, Javed Ahmed Mirchal, Sheikh Khursheed Ahmed, Javaid Hassan Beigh, Farooq Ahmad Shah, Dr Sajad Shafi, Reyaz Javid Bedar, Irshad Rasool Kar, Irfan Hafiz Lone, Hilal Akbar Lone, Nizam-ud-Din Bhat and Nazir Ahmad Khan Gurezi.
The legislators sought enhanced budgetary allocations, particularly in the sectors of health, education, agriculture, horticulture, irrigation, road widening, community halls, youth-centric initiatives, sports infrastructure, employment generation and the establishment of fire stations in far-flung areas.
They also emphasized the need for dedicated allocations towards climate change mitigation measures to prevent loss of life and property during natural calamities, establishment of public libraries and skill development centres, and time-bound utilization of funds for the execution of developmental projects.
Additionally, the legislators stressed strengthening irrigation infrastructure and exploring the tourism potential of the region to create sustainable employment opportunities for local youth.
On the occasion, the Chief Minister assured the legislators that the suggestions and proposals put forth regarding developmental priorities would be given due consideration in the forthcoming budget. He reiterated the Government’s commitment to balanced, inclusive and regionally equitable development across Jammu and Kashmir—(KNO)