J&K budget 2024-25 neglects welfare: NC

Srinagar, July 24: The Chief Spokesperson of the Jammu and Kashmir National Conference Tanvir Sadiq called the J&K Budget 2024-25 presented in Parliament by the Union Finance Minister as a mere jumble of words that neglects to tackle the pressing issues facing the people of Jammu and Kashmir.

In a statement Tanvir expressed dismay at the fact that this is the sixth consecutive budget that has not been passed by the elected legislature of Jammu and Kashmir. "Why are nearly 1.40 crore people left without a representative Assembly? An elected assembly could have addressed the needs and aspirations of the people before finalizing budgetary allocations. Once again, stakeholders were not consulted before the budget was tabled," he lamented.

The NC leader emphasised that the budget is mute on the focus areas. "The budget fails to address the high unemployment rate, development deficit, and lack of infrastructure. The government has turned a blind eye to contractual employees awaiting their regularization, cut fertilizer subsidies for farmers, neglected MGNREGA allocations despite inflation and unemployment, reduced funding for higher education by 10,000 crore, and slashed LPG subsidies amidst rising prices. States have also been shortchanged as finance commission allocations have been reduced," he said.

Highlighting the deplorable state of major roads in J&K, Tanvir emphasised that the budget lacks any substantial measures to improve surface connectivity. "Sectors such as tourism, horticulture, handicrafts , transportation, and social welfare have been left neglected, further exacerbating the suffering of the people.No new tourism destinations and circuits have come up. Our health care sector is working under strain due to the severe staff deficit. No budgetary allocation has been made to enhance electricity generation."

Tanvir has called out the government for its failure to address the pressing issues faced by the people of J&K, leaving them high and dry.