J&K Budget Drives Progress Through Unity, Infrastructure, Jobs & Digital Governance. The Lieutenant Governor of Jammu & Kashmir, Shri Manoj Sinha’s address to the J&K elected representatives in the first budget session who bear the responsibility of fulfilling the aspirations of people who only hope for stability and growth. This budget carries historic significance as it is the first in over seven years to be presented by an elected government in Jammu and Kashmir, LG said. The administration and elected representatives took comprehensive measures to minimise disruptions to the daily lives of the people this winter during snowfall, enabling swiftest restorations of essential supplies in Kashmir, including efficient snow clearance and minimal interruptions of power supply. This budget represents a new era of participatory governance. The Chief Minister Shri Omar Abdullah personally chaired meetings for all twenty districts, separately, engaging directly with elected representatives to understand their aspirations, regional needs, and development priorities in Budget formulation. Restoration of full statehood is one of the aspirations of the people of Jammu & Kashmir. J&K Government recognises the emotional and political significance of the Statehood for the people and is actively engaging to facilitate this process. Unity in diversity defines Jammu and Kashmir and the Government is committed to preserving our composite culture and centuries-old traditions of amity and brotherhood. The Government will work relentlessly on the three principles of Economy, Ecology and Equity that will shape our future. The Government will implement further political empowerment, and for creating an enabling environment for employment, sustainable development, social inclusiveness and expansion of the economy for enhancing the overall quality of life. My Government remains firmly committed to transparent and accountable decision making, ensuring the efficient and effective allocation of resources. Innovative initiatives such as digital governance, streamlined public service delivery, effective grievance redressal, and the promotion of socio-economic programs are designed to bridge developmental gaps and strengthen public trust. Issues such as regional disparities, unemployment, and sustainable development need to be addressed to ensure inclusive and equitable growth for all. My Government’s interventions will prioritise youth, women, and farmers, striving to make Jammu and Kashmir a progressive and inclusive economy. If Infrastructure development remains a key driver of progress then the recent inauguration of the Sonamarg Tunnel (Z-Morh) by the Hon’ble Prime Minister, along with the completion of two segments of the Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (Banihal Bypass and Ramban Bypass), bodes significant advancements in connectivity. Ongoing projects, including the Expressway, National Highways, and Ring Roads for Jammu and Srinagar, will be accelerated to ensure their timely completion. In remote areas of Jammu and Kashmir. the rural-urban divide is being bridged by by ensuring all-weather road access through Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), facilitating rural habitations with better access to healthcare, education, and markets. The Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) project has reached a historic milestone with the completion of its final segment, poised to integrate J&K more closely with the rest of the nation. To enhance air connectivity, evening flights have been made operational, additionally, the expansion of Jammu Airport is underway to accommodate increased passenger traffic. Jammu and Kashmir Government is committed to harnessing the full potential of abundant water resources for a significant leap forward in our energy sector. In the energy sector, key hydropower projects, including Pakal Dul, Kiru, Kwar, and Ratle will collectively add 3,014 MW of capacity, significantly strengthening the region’s energy security and benefiting the people of Jammu and Kashmir. Other projects, such as Dulhasti-II and Kirthai-I, are in the pipeline, these projects will be reinforcing Jammu and Kashmir’s position as a hub for renewable energy. Significant strides have been made in strengthening the power infrastructure. Transmission capacity has enhanced by 50% with the successful completion of 28 projects, while distribution capacity has increased by 40% with the execution of 194 projects.Additionally, several Receiving Stations and Grid Stations are being speeded up for better transmission and distribution, minimising power losses.