Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Feb 2: The Union Budget presented by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has evoked mixed reaction from various organizations.
Dr Meenesh Shah, Chairman, National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) lauded the Union Budget 2026-27 as truly transformative, noting its initiatives to enhance farmers’ incomes, promote entrepreneurship in animal husbandry and dairying and strengthen cooperatives – key steps toward realising the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047 and fostering inclusive economic growth.
Recognized as the growth engine of agriculture and allied activities providing livelihoods to rural households, the animal husbandry sector has received a significant boost in the Union Budget, with an allocation of Rs 6,153.46 crore – up 16% from last year.
The Budget also announced a Rs 500 crore Integrated Scheme for Entrepreneurship development to expand employment through credit-linked subsidies, modernise livestock enterprises, build integrated dairy and poultry value chains and promote Livestock Farmer Producer Organisations, thereby fostering entrepreneurship and rural development. The Budget will add 20,000 Veterinary professionals and through a loan-linked subsidy scheme, support new Veterinary and Private colleges, hospitals, labs, and breeding facilities. Targeting India’s 53 crore livestock, including 30 crore dairy animals, the initiative also encourages global collaborations to drive innovation.
Bharatiya Mazdoor Sangh (BMS) has critically examined the Union Budget, presented in the Lok Sabha. Though this Budget—presented on a Sunday for the first time—projects the Government of India’s intent to accelerate economic growth through infrastructure expansion, industrial development and large-scale skilling, it has failed to address the most urgent livelihood and social security concerns of the working class.
BMS took note of proposals related to container manufacturing, mega textile parks, sports goods manufacturing, revival of 200 legacy industrial clusters, new freight and high-speed rail corridors, inland waterways, ship repair facilities at Varanasi and Patna, the eastern industrial corridor, and increased capital expenditure. Enhanced allocations for education, health, social welfare, labour, skill development, defence and DRDO are also acknowledged.
Bhartiya Janata Party’s District Unit Rajouri welcomed the Union Government Budget. While highlighting the key points of the Union Budget, Mohammed Arif, a senior BJP leader and District covener said that the Union Budget 2026-27 is not only a roadmap for economic growth but also a strong foundation for the Viksit Bharat Mission of 2047. He said Central Government proposed total grants-in-aid of Rs 43,290.29 crore for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. This reflects an increase of nearly Rs 2,000 crore (approximately 4.72%) compared to the revised estimates of Rs 41,340 crore for the 2025-26 fiscal year.
Arif explained many of India’s reforms express the Government’s undertaking of comprehensive economic reforms towards creating employment, boosting productivity, and accelerating growth. He further said the Government of India has over 350 reforms that have been rolled out, including GST simplification, notification of labor codes, and rationalization of mandatory quality control orders, including the Union Government, which has framed high-level committees to monitor all such development in a proper manner.
Reacting to the Union Budget, Abhinav Anand, president, Traders Association Trikuta Nagar, Jammu, said that the budget has laid a strong foundation for building a Viksit Bharat (Developed India). He said that the Budget 2026–27 is very impressive and growth-oriented, reflecting the visionary leadership of the Government of India.
“This budget will accelerate economic development, strengthen the business community, and create new opportunities for trade and employment,” Anand stated.
Praising the Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, Anand said, “The Finance Minister has presented a well-balanced and forward-looking budget which addresses the needs of traders, entrepreneurs, and the common man alike. It truly paves the way for a stronger and more prosperous India.”
Locals in tourism valley of Bhaderwah in general and those associated with tourism industry especially adventure activities in particular erupted in joy after Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman announced promotion of ecologically sustainable trekking and hiking trails.
Bhaderwah valley which is one of the most visited destination of Jammu Province by tourists having very rich flora and fauna beside mundane breathtaking landscape with ample potential for adventure and Eco-tourism activities, adventure tour guides and locals are hopeful that the promotion of hiking and trekking trails in hill states in the proposed budget can become a game changer for sustainable development of quality tourism in a major way.
Senior Congress leader and former Minister, Dr Manohar Lal Sharma, today expressed his strong disappointment over the Union Budget 2026, stating that it has fallen far short of the expectations of common citizens and fails to address the pressing economic and social challenges faced by the nation and the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir.
Sharma said that despite being the eleventh Budget of the BJP-led government, it continues to neglect the most critical issues confronting ordinary citizens, particularly the rising unemployment, which remains unaddressed with no clear roadmap for creating sustainable job opportunities for youth and skilled workers in both the country and J&K. He said it has failed to prioritize healthcare and education, which are the pillars of human development and long-term economic growth.
Follow our WhatsApp channel
