Sagar welcomes J&K Budget, calls it progressive, people-centric

Srinagar, Feb 6: National Conference General Secretary Ali Muhammad Sagar Thursday welcomed the Annual Budget for the financial year 2026–27, presented by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, describing it as a progressive, people-centric and development-oriented financial roadmap that lays a strong foundation for long-term, sustainable and inclusive growth across J&K.

In a statement issued from the party headquarters Nawa-e-Subha, Sagar said the second budget presented by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is in the best interest of the poor and middle class. Sagar highlighted that the budget includes commendable measures to promote key sectors such as agriculture, horticulture, tourism, health, education, electricity, sports, and social welfare, which will particularly benefit the youth of the region.

He referred to key public-oriented announcements in the budget, stating that the government has decided to provide 6 free gas cylinders annually to over 200,000 AAY families, scholarships for orphans, free bus services for persons with special abilities, fill 2,800 gazetted, 14,000 non-gazetted, and 7,000 Class IV positions (totalling 23,800 posts) swiftly and within the stipulated time, and launch a weather-based insurance scheme for farmers worth Rs 6,594 crore.

Other notable initiatives include special financial incentives for employees posted in remote and difficult areas, employment for local youth in Jammu and Kashmir industries, dignified security and future planning for daily wage workers, crop insurance for apples, saffron, mangoes, and lychees, educational sector reforms, expansion of Lal Ded Hospital, a new mother and child hospital at GMC Anantnag, cath labs in Rajouri, Baramulla, and Doda, emergency hospitals in Uri and Poonch, a cancer control strategy program, and bulletproof ambulances for border areas. Sagar further stated that the people have given the National Conference the mandate to serve, and despite facing severe challenges and limited resources, the government is working precisely in line with the sentiments, aspirations, and demands of the people.