BJP MLA Devyani Rana's Budget Critique Earns Rare Applause from Ruling National Conference in J&K Assembly
In an unusual display of bipartisan appreciation, the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly witnessed a remarkable scene on Saturday as ruling National Conference legislators joined Opposition members in thumping their desks to applaud Bharatiya Janata Party MLA Devyani Rana. Rana, representing the Nagrota constituency, delivered a scathing critique of the recently announced Budget 2026-27, focusing on significant reductions in allocations for critical sectors such as disaster management and education.
Sharp Reductions in Disaster Management Funding Draw Criticism
During the budget discussion, Rana highlighted a concerning decision to slash the allocation for disaster management and relief by nearly half. The budget has reduced this funding to Rs 350.76 crore from Rs 719 crore in the previous year. Rana argued that this cut is particularly alarming given the recent widespread devastation in Jammu province due to floods and landslides. She emphasized that the region experienced unprecedented and incessant rainfall, which severely impacted rural areas, including her own Nagrota Assembly constituency.
Rana pointed to specific tragedies to underscore the urgency of adequate disaster relief: the death of a toddler in a landslide and a 28-year-old youth by drowning. She stated, "These are not merely names from Nagrota. They represent the lives lost in devastation that spanned the Jammu region." She further described Jammu and Kashmir as an earthquake-prone, landslide-prone, flood-prone, and fire-prone region, stressing the need for increased investment in infrastructure rebuilding, structural upgrades, early warning systems, and flood management.
Education Budget Cuts Raise Concerns for Future Generations
Rana also flagged significant reductions in the education budget, noting that the revised estimate for 2025-26 was Rs 1,163.72 crore, while the new estimate for 2026-27 is only Rs 969.97 crore. This represents a decrease of Rs 193.75 crore. She questioned how this reduction would affect educational opportunities, particularly for children from poor families, asking, "How will the child of a poor person progress when schools will be closed or merged with one another in far-off places due to reduced budgetary allocation?"
Additional Criticisms on Power and Disability Initiatives
Beyond disaster management and education, Rana criticized reductions in the power department's allocation and raised issues with the implementation of the free bus travel initiative for persons with disabilities. She called the initiative "completely divorced from reality," questioning whether buses are adequately equipped with ramps and access mechanisms. She cited documented instances where buses failed to stop even for women, highlighting broader accessibility concerns.
Unprecedented Response from the Assembly
Rana's 12-minute address was met with silence from the House, followed by enthusiastic applause from both Treasury and Opposition benches upon its conclusion. A Cabinet minister was seen giving her a thumbs-up, and an NC member, along with several BJP leaders, approached her seat to commend her speech. This rare moment of cross-party support underscores the impact of her arguments on budget priorities in Jammu and Kashmir.
