Union budget evokes mixed response from political parties in J&K
Srinagar, Feb 1: The Union Budget, presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman in the Parliament, evoked a mixed response from the political parties in Jammu and Kashmir.
BJP
J&K BJP President Sat Sharma described the Union Budget 2025 as another milestone to achieve the mission of “Viksit Bharat Sankalp. He hailed the commitment of Modi government to achieve the aim of Bharat that is free from social evils, and creating opportunities for everyone, while providing best and affordable health, education, and growth with advancements in the technology.
National Conference
As the budget was being presented in parliament, the National Conference (NC) Chief Spokesman and MLA Tanvir Sadiq told reporters in Srinagar that prima facie it seems a balanced budget. He said that some of the reforms in the budget were positive. However, NC leader said that Jammu and Kashmir should be included in the 50 new tourist destinations and medical tourism.
Congress
Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) Chief Tariq Hameed Karra said that union budget has ignored J&K , in terms of the special focus needed here to give relief to worst suffering people especially the youth in special circumstances prevailing in this border region.
People’s Conference
In his stinging remarks on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah over Jammu and Kashmir’s allocation in the Union Budget 2025-26, Peoples Conference (PC) president Sajad Gani Lone on Saturday said that it is time for him to seek the return of shawls gifted by him to union ministers and revise his cloudless weather commentary made at Sonamarg in Ganderbal district.
Taking to micro-blogging site X, Lone pointed out that there has been a reduction in J&K’s allocation in the Union Budget. “The proposed allocation to J&K in the Union Budget is approximately 41,000 crores. It is approximately 1,000 crore less than the previous allocation. When adjusted for inflation, it is reduced by another 2,000 to 3,000 crores,” he said.
CPI (M)
The CPI(M) described the Union Budget a cruel betrayal of the Indian people. In a statement the party said, “Instead of addressing the root cause of the demand problem being faced by so many sectors of the economy, the lack of purchasing power in the hands of large sections of the population because of mass unemployment and shrinking wages, the Modi government through the budget is seeking to stimulate the economy by giving tax cuts to the small minority with higher incomes even as expenditures are cut.”