J&K Opposition Condemns Omar Abdullah's Budget as a Stark Disappointment
The Jammu & Kashmir Opposition has strongly dismissed the budget presented by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in the Assembly in Jammu, labeling it a "stark disappointment" and an "anti-people budget." BJP leader and Leader of the Opposition Sunil Sharma led the criticism, condemning the document as the lowest quality in J&K's history.
Opposition Leaders Voice Severe Criticism
Sunil Sharma expressed deep disappointment, stating that the people and MLAs of J&K had high hopes for a good budget from Omar Abdullah. "It is the misfortune of the people of J&K that the CM from whom they hold so much hope has disappointed them. This government has failed on every front," he said. Sharma highlighted that the only success of the government is in implementing Centrally Sponsored Schemes, with the budget granted by Modi ji being the sole ray of hope. He criticized the capital expenditure as next to nothing, questioning the government's seriousness.
PDP and Other Leaders Join in Condemnation
PDP's legislative party leader Waheed ur Rehman Para also termed the budget disappointing, noting a lack of hope or healing. "We had expected issues of the youth to be tackled, such as unemployment, horticulture, agriculture, and daily wagers. The budget does not have anything for any section of society," he said. Para accused the budget of being a repackaging of centrally-sponsored schemes from the Lieutenant Governor's rule, questioning the elected government's initiatives.
Jammu and Kashmir Peoples Conference president and Handwara MLA Sajad Lone called the budget "bureaucratic as ever" and slammed it for lacking political input. He argued that the budget should have been a comprehensive package detailing inclusivity and covering sectors with potential to be change-makers for raising per capita income, job creation, rehabilitation, and bridging income gaps. "The budget is bereft of all this," he added.
Specific Criticisms and Unfulfilled Promises
Lone detailed his criticism of the National Conference's poll promise to provide free electricity for up to 200 units, stating that the government has once again failed people by not delivering on this. "Only a promise like last year to implement a centrally sponsored scheme," he said. He also criticized the lack of regularization for daily wagers, fixing minimum remuneration for Anganwadi and ASHA Workers, and MGNREGA staff, noting no plan to address employment issues or create new jobs as promised in the manifesto.
"No plan to create new jobs as promised in manifesto. It is rather trying to hide under the fig leaf of routine advertisement both in gazetted and non-gazetted services," Lone said. He concluded that economically, the budget will be as barren as last year, with not even an attempt at pretension.
Background and Context
The budget presentation comes amid ongoing debates over statehood and governance in Jammu and Kashmir, following the region's reorganization. Opposition leaders have consistently raised concerns about the government's performance and its ability to address key socio-economic challenges. This criticism underscores the political tensions and high expectations from the current administration.
