Jammu, Jammu and Kashmir | March 12, 2025 – Chief Minister Omar Abdullah has unveiled the Jammu and Kashmir budget for 2025-26, branding it a “Budget of New Hope” aimed at empowering progress and inspiring transformative change across the Union Territory. Presented on March 7, 2025, in the Legislative Assembly, this marks the first budget under an elected government in seven years, signaling a renewed commitment to addressing the aspirations of the region’s people amid a backdrop of resilience and evolving challenges.
Abdullah, who also holds the finance portfolio, opened his address with a tone of humility and duty, stating, “This budget is more than just a financial statement—it is a roadmap for a new and prosperous Jammu and Kashmir, reflecting the aspirations of our people and laying a strong foundation for economic growth, social progress, and sustainable development.” The ₹1.12 lakh crore budget emphasizes inclusive growth, infrastructure development, and social welfare, with targeted initiatives designed to uplift the most vulnerable and foster long-term prosperity.
Key highlights include 200 units of free electricity for Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households, an additional 10 kg of ration per person for AAY beneficiaries starting April 2025, and free public transport for women across the region—a groundbreaking step toward enhancing mobility and economic independence. Pensions for over 10 lakh vulnerable individuals have been enhanced, and marriage assistance for girls from economically weaker sections has risen from ₹50,000 to ₹75,000. These measures, Abdullah noted, reflect a focus on “empowering those who need it most” while laying the groundwork for broader societal upliftment.
The budget also allocates significant resources to infrastructure, with plans to blacktop 4,000 km of roads and complete 150 road and bridge projects in 2025-26. Abdullah highlighted ongoing projects like the Banihal bypass and the Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway, which promise to slash travel times and boost connectivity. In the energy sector, the government aims to harness 7,500 MW of additional hydroelectric power by 2027, alongside investments in solar energy and modernized distribution networks. “We are building a self-reliant Jammu and Kashmir, one that thrives on its own strengths,” Abdullah asserted.
Tourism and industry, vital to the region’s economy, receive a strong push, with incentives like streamlined GST reimbursements and the establishment of an Advisory Committee on Industries to foster collaboration. The budget also nods to cultural and sporting ambitions, with efforts underway to host Indian Premier League matches in the Union Territory—a move Abdullah hopes will inspire youth and elevate Jammu and Kashmir’s global profile.
Speaking to the Assembly, Abdullah praised the unprecedented voter turnout in the recent elections, interpreting it as a mandate for progress over past turmoil. “The people have entrusted us with their hopes, and we will not falter in delivering a future of dignity and opportunity,” he said. He reiterated his commitment to restoring full statehood, a long-standing demand, while navigating the limitations of the current Union Territory framework, which he has called “the worst form of government” due to its divided powers.
Opposition voices, however, have labeled the budget as insufficient, with critics pointing to a lack of focus on unemployed youth, daily wage workers, and marginalized communities beyond the AAY category, which serves only 1.6% of the population. Abdullah countered such critiques in a post-budget press conference, urging patience: “This is a five-year mandate, not a five-week one. Judge us by what we achieve in time, not by daily checklists.”
As Jammu and Kashmir stands at a pivotal juncture, Abdullah’s budget seeks to inspire change by blending pragmatism with ambition. Whether it fulfills its promise of new hope remains to be seen, but for now, it signals a determined step toward a region that balances its rich heritage with the demands of a modern future. The Chief Minister concluded his address with a call for unity: “Together, transcending political differences, we must build a stronger, self-reliant Jammu and Kashmir for the greater good of our people.”