Jammu | News Desk
After a brief one-day pause, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday resumed pre-budget consultations in Jammu as part of the government’s preparations for the Budget 2026–27, aiming to ensure inclusive and balanced development across Jammu and Kashmir.
The Chief Minister held detailed meetings with a cross-section of stakeholders from the Jammu region, including representatives of trade and industry, civil society organisations, professionals, and social groups. The consultations focused on gathering suggestions and feedback on key sectors such as infrastructure development, employment generation, economic growth, and public welfare.
During the interactions, stakeholders highlighted issues related to urban infrastructure, road connectivity, power supply, healthcare services, education, and support for small and medium enterprises. Several participants also stressed the need for targeted measures to boost local businesses and create sustainable employment opportunities for youth.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah reiterated the government’s commitment to participatory governance and said that the pre-budget consultation process is intended to incorporate ground-level inputs into policy planning. He assured stakeholders that all genuine and constructive suggestions would be carefully examined while finalising the Budget 2026–27.
Later in the day, the Chief Minister is scheduled to meet elected representatives from the Jammu and Samba districts. The meeting is expected to focus on constituency-specific development priorities, including district-level infrastructure projects, rural development, irrigation facilities, health infrastructure, and educational institutions.
According to official sources, feedback from elected representatives will play an important role in determining sector-wise allocations and regional development strategies in the upcoming budget.
The ongoing pre-budget consultations are being viewed as a key step towards building consensus on developmental priorities and ensuring equitable distribution of resources. The process reflects the administration’s effort to balance fiscal responsibility with the need for sustained economic growth and social welfare.
The Budget 2026–27, expected to be presented in the coming weeks, is keenly awaited, particularly for announcements related to economic revival, job creation, and strengthening of basic infrastructure across the Union Territory.
