J&K budget for the year 2026-27 presented by the Chief Minister Omar Abdullah in the Assembly on Friday has drawn mixed reactions from the political parties in the UT. While BJP’s LoP Sunil Sharma and PC leader Sajjad Lone have criticized it as anti people and lacking required measures, NC patron Dr Farooq Abdullah has welcomed it as ‘inclusive’, providing relief to all sections.
Leader of Opposition and senior BJP leader Sunil Sharma on Friday sharply criticised the Jammu and Kashmir Union Territory budget, calling it “National Conference-centric” and alleging that it offers nothing to daily wagers, unemployed youth, BPL and EWS families.
Addressing a press conference, Sharma claimed the budget was crafted to benefit National Conference MLAs, alleging that funds allocated by the Centre were diverted to NC-held constituencies. “This is a budget for NC MLAs.
There is nothing in it for the common people of Jammu and Kashmir,” he said. He accused the government of betraying daily wagers by failing to announce a clear, time-bound regularisation policy. “Daily wagers have been fed false promises for a year and a half. There is no clarity on what ‘phased manner’ actually means,” he said.Sharma also said the budget ignores unemployment and does not reflect earlier promises of filling posts within 180 days. He criticised the outsourcing of nearly 24,000 jobs, claiming it bypasses merit and transparent recruitment. “No written exam, no interview, no application process. What about meritorious youth seeking fair competition?” he asked.
Jammu and Kashmir National Conference (JKNC) president Dr Farooq Abdullah on Friday hailed the Union Territory’s budget, calling it “amazing” and inclusive, with provisions aimed at providing relief across all sections of society.Speaking to reporters outside the Assembly complex in Jammu, Farooq Abdullah described the budget as “excellent,” saying it offers benefits “in every possible way.”
The Jammu and Kashmir Budget for 2026–27 was presented in the Assembly today, with a focus on infrastructure development, employment generation and welfare initiativesPeople’s Conference chief and Handwara MLA Sajad Lone on Friday criticised the Jammu and Kashmir government’s budget, saying it lacked political direction and was primarily drafted by bureaucrats with little improvement over the previous year.
Speaking to reporters, Lone said, “The budget is as good or as bad as it was last time. I would say it is as bad as it was last time.”
He claimed the budget reflected bureaucratic dominance rather than political decision-making. “This is a budget by the bureaucrats. There is no political input in it,” he said.Lone also accused the government of repeatedly thanking the Centre without outlining an independent policy framework. “They are repeatedly thanking the Centre — repeatedly,” he said.
Follow us
