Jammu and Kashmir's Two-Part Budget Session to Begin on February 2
The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly will hold its 2026-27 Budget Session in two distinct parts. The first part will run from February 2 to February 19. The second part is scheduled from March 27 to April 4.
Assembly Speaker A R Rather has issued a provisional calendar outlining the session's schedule. The session will commence on February 2 with the Address of Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha.
Detailed Schedule of the First Part
Following the LG's address, the House will discuss the Motion of Thanks to the Lieutenant Governor over the next three days. The government will then provide its official reply to this discussion.
The presentation of the annual budget for 2026-27 is set for February 6. This presentation will also include a supplementary statement of expenditure for the previous financial year.
A general discussion on the budget will take place on February 7, 9, and 10. The finance minister will reply to the discussion raised by MLAs on the final day of this debate.
For the subsequent seven days, the Assembly will take up demands for grants from various government departments. The first part of the session will then adjourn on February 19.
Resumption and the Second Part
After a gap of 35 days, the Assembly will resume its sittings on March 27. The second part of the Budget Session will continue until April 4, as per the Speaker's provisional calendar.
The timing of this session has been specifically adjusted. Officials have advanced the Budget Session by nearly a month. This change considers the holy month of Ramzan, when Muslims observe fasting.
Background on Previous Session
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who also holds the finance portfolio, presented the last budget on March 7 during Ramzan last year. He addressed the House for nearly one hour and forty-five minutes on the sixth day of fasting.
At that time, Abdullah expressed a clear intention. He stated he did not wish to present a budget again during the fasting period of Ramzan. Concluding his speech, he made a firm commitment.
He declared he would never again present his Budget while observing the Ramzan fast. The Chief Minister suggested he would either advance or postpone the session in future years. Alternatively, he mentioned he might request the Speaker to schedule sessions around 6:30 PM, after breaking the day-long fast.
