Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, Feb 4: Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) spokesperson for Jammu and Kashmir, Altaf Thakur, today condemned reports of harassment of Kashmiris outside the Valley, describing such incidents as “wrong and unacceptable” and asserting that action would not be tolerated anywhere in the country.
Addressing a press conference in Ganderbal, Thakur said Kashmiris are an inseparable part of the nation and deserve dignity and security wherever they live or work. “Kashmiris are Indians, and Kashmir is an integral part of India. Harassment of our people anywhere in the country will not be tolerated,” he said.
Thakur said the Union Budget is pro-poor, reform-driven, and future-ready, claiming it strikes a balance between economic growth and social welfare while simplifying governance and strengthening the tax framework. He said the proposed introduction of a new Income Tax Act from April 1, 2026, marks a historic reform aimed at creating a simpler, transparent, and taxpayer-friendly system. “I welcome the proposal allowing revision of income tax returns up to March 31 with a nominal fee. It is a major relief for honest taxpayers,” he said.
He also appreciated the rationalisation of return-filing timelines, noting that individuals filing ITR-1 and ITR-2 will now have time till July 31, while non-audit business cases and trusts can file returns up to August 31. “These reforms will reduce unnecessary compliance pressure and ensure greater ease for taxpayers,” he said.
Calling the budget deeply inclusive, Thakur lauded initiatives such as Self-Help Entrepreneur (SHE) Marts to promote women entrepreneurship, support for assistive device manufacturing and measures to strengthen district hospitals. “These initiatives reflect the government’s strong commitment to social justice and women empowerment,” he said.
He added that Jammu and Kashmir will benefit from the focus on infrastructure, job creation, tourism and entrepreneurship, opening new avenues for youth and small entrepreneurs.
Reacting to the recent India–Pakistan cricket match, Thakur claimed Pakistan’s fear of defeat forced them to flee the field. He added that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has made it clear that no one will be allowed to play with the unity and integrity of the nation.
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