*NC terms ‘balanced’, JKPC says fruit industry ignored
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 2: The Union Budget presented by the Finance Minister in the Parliament has invited mixed reaction in the Jammu and Kashmir.
While National Conference, the major political party in J&K has termed the Budget as balanced one, the People’s Conference has claimed that it has ignored the fruit industry in Kashmir. The Congress has claimed that the Union Budget lacks specific and targeted measures to address J&K’s challenges.
Provincial president of the National Conference for Jammu Rattan Lal Gupta has termed the Union Budget 2025-26 as balanced but stressed that it requires more attention and focus on the development and prosperity of Jammu and Kashmir. While he lauded the Union Finance Minister for providing relief to the middle class in income tax, he expressed hope that the Central Government would prioritize J&K’s pressing needs and ongoing challenges.
“As like Bihar state, J&K being a backward and border state, should also receive more allocations in the Union Budget. There is no announcement of special projects or funds for the Union Territory, which is facing a severe economic crisis. Development projects are either halted or progressing at a snail’s pace, while unemployment is at its peak in Jammu and Kashmir,” he stated.
Highlighting the growing unemployment crisis, Gupta noted that except for tourism, J&K has no viable alternative for economic growth. “Tourism alone cannot sustain the entire population of Jammu and Kashmir. The majority of industries here are struggling, and there is an urgent need to revive and support them,” he added.
Former Minister and senior Congress leader Dr Manohar Lal Sharma has expressed disappointment that the Union Budget 2025 doesn’t have any significant allocations or announcements for Jammu and Kashmir. While the budget did propose some initiatives, the Congress party feels that more specific and targeted measures are needed to address the region’s unique challenges.
Dr Manohar criticized the budget for not doing enough for specific regions or communities. The Union Budget has failed to address pressing issues in Jammu and Kashmir, including unemployment, adhock and casual workers’ concerns, and infrastructure development. This oversight has significant implications for the region’s economic growth and social welfare. He said Jammu and Kashmir is grappling with an alarming unemployment rate, which has reached 21% according to the International Labour Organization’s Employment Report 2024. The budget’s failure to provide concrete solutions to address unemployment has left many young individuals feeling desperate and hopeless.
He said infrastructure development is crucial for economic growth, but the budget has not allocated sufficient funds for this purpose. The region’s infrastructure needs, including roads, bridges, and public transportation, remain unaddressed. The casual and adhoc workers face significant challenges, including low wages, lack of job security, and limited access to social benefits. The budget’s failure to provide relief to these workers. He criticized the budget for ignoring the concerns of Jammu and Kashmir, terming it as “anti-poor”, “anti-youth” and “anti-farmer”.
J&K People’s Conference (JKPC) senior vice president and former Minister Abdul Gani Vakil has strongly criticized the Union Budget, calling it disappointing and inadequate for Jammu and Kashmir. He pointed out that the total budget allocation stands at Rs 41,000.07 crore, which is less than last year’s initial allocation of Rs 42,277.74 crore, reflecting the Government’s lack of commitment towards the region’s economic development.
Vakil slammed the Government for completely ignoring J&K’s horticulture sector, particularly the apple industry, which generates over Rs 10,000 crore annually and supports lakhs of families. He stated that despite the challenges faced by fruit growers, including rising input costs, cheap imports, and lack of storage facilities, the budget offers no financial assistance, subsidies, or policy support for this crucial sector. He criticized the Government for failing to address unemployment, struggling businesses, and the declining tourism sector. “The budget lacks any significant provisions for job creation, industrial development, or trade revival, leaving the people of J&K frustrated and neglected,” he said.
Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) vice president for J&K and former Minister Surjeet Singh Slathia has lauded the Union Budget and termed it as a game-changer..
Slathia welcomed the relief measures for the middle class, stating that these provisions will go a long way in easing the financial burden on families across the country. He asserted that by focusing on tax reliefs, incentives for homebuyers, and subsidies on essential commodities, the Government has reaffirmed its commitment to improving the quality of life for millions of citizens.
“The middle class is the backbone of our economy. Their aspirations and needs have been addressed in this budget, ensuring that disposable income increases and financial stress is reduced,” Slathia said, adding that the government’s focus on job creation, entrepreneurship, and digital economy initiatives will further enhance opportunities for the working population.
Senior BJP leader and Rajya Sabha MP, Engineer Gulam Ali Khatana, has welcomed the Union Budget, terming it as public-friendly and inclusive, catering to all sections of society, including farmers, small and medium businesses, women and employees.
In his reaction to the budget, Khatana said that it provides significant relief to citizens across the country. Highlighting the key aspects, he emphasized that the Government has enhanced the income tax exemption slab, allowing individuals earning up to Rs 12 lakh annually to be free from tax obligations.
Senior BJP leader and former Minister Bali Bhagat lauded Prime Minister Modi and Finance Minister for presenting a visionary and people-centric Union Budget. He stated that the Budget is a true reflection of the Modi Government’s commitment by focusing on holistic economic development across all sectors.
He emphasized that the budget is driven by four key engines—Agriculture for rural prosperity, MSMEs for job creation, Investments for infrastructure growth, and exports for global competitiveness. He highlighted that the six key domains addressed in the Budget—taxation, power sector, urban development, financial sector, regulatory reforms, and mining—demonstrate the Government’s comprehensive approach to economic acceleration.
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