The Jammu and Kashmir Assembly is set to commence its 27-day budget session from Monday. This session is expected to be highly eventful, with the opposition preparing to put pressure on the ruling National Conference (NC) government led by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah.
Key issues likely to dominate the session include the regularisation of daily wage workers, the government’s performance and achievements since the last budget, and the demand to restore Jammu and Kashmir’s statehood.
Omar Abdullah, who holds the finance portfolio, will present the budget in the Assembly on February 6. Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha is scheduled to address the session on its first day. All necessary arrangements have been completed to ensure smooth proceedings and effective use of time during the session.
Assembly Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather held discussions with security officials to finalise arrangements. He also consulted with other officers involved in the session.
Speaking on media engagement, the Speaker said, “Information has been shared with journalists and their demands, which emphasise the need for smooth functioning of the house, have been considered.”
Rather mentioned a meeting held on Friday involving representatives from various political parties. “Discussions focused on making the session more beneficial for the people. The Business Advisory Committee played a key role in finalising the schedule. The provisional calendar prepared earlier has now been finalised and will be presented along with the committee’s report.”
The Speaker emphasised that the Assembly will mainly operate in a double-shift mode to maximise time utilisation. He urged members to raise relevant questions during the question hour and called on the government to come prepared with appropriate responses.
Highlighting the role of the opposition, Rather stated that it is their responsibility to monitor the government and ensure accountability, but criticism should be constructive and based on solid grounds.
This will be the second budget presented by the National Conference government since taking office on October 16, 2024.
According to the Assembly calendar released by the Speaker, the budget session will conclude on April 4 and will be held in three phases – the first before the holy month of Ramadan, and the other two in March and April after Eid-ul-Fitr.
Ramadan is expected to begin on February 18 or 19, depending on moon sighting. On February 6, the Chief Minister will present the budget for the financial year 2026-27 along with the supplementary expenditure statement for 2025-26. The March and April sessions will hold five and four working days respectively.
Opposition parties including BJP, PDP, and Congress are likely to question the government on its election promises and the implementation of last year’s budget commitments.
The opposition benches may strongly criticise the government for alleged failure to fulfil electoral promises. The BJP has indicated plans to raise questions on governance, employment generation, and public welfare measures.
The session is expected to witness sharp debates, with opposition parties preparing to corner the government on issues like regularisation of daily wage workers, eviction drives, and alleged discrimination.
The financial and humanitarian aspects of regularising daily wage workers have been entrusted to a committee headed by the Chief Secretary, which has been directed to submit its report within six months.
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