By Chasfeeda Shah
The first full-fledged budget of Jammu and Kashmir post-Article 370 has landed with both thunder and tremors. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, wearing both the fiscal and political mantle, presented a ₹1.12 lakh crore roadmap he calls “progressive” and “people-centric.” But the echo in the Assembly—and on the streets—says otherwise: is this a blueprint for transformation or a populist pitch with an eye on elections?
There’s no denying the emotive power of Abdullah’s opening remarks, invoking the wounds of a region left bruised by years of political limbo. And in theory, the budget hits all the right notes: employment generation, rural development, tourism revival, and welfare schemes. From 200 units of free electricity to a ₹75,000 marriage assistance grant, from solar-powered homes to free bus rides for women—this budget reads like a welfare wish list.
Yet, scratch the surface and contradictions emerge. The budget trumpets job creation—4.25 lakh in five years via Mission Yuva—but official figures show over 3.7 lakh unemployed youth today, with no stipend or concrete safety net. The PDP called it a budget of “hollow promises,” and with good reason. The much-hyped electricity subsidy benefits just 5–7% of the population. Meanwhile, 1.27 lakh Antyodaya ration cards were quietly removed from eligibility lists.
The omission of any protection for Kashmir’s apple industry is another red flag. With U.S. imports threatening local markets, the silence is deafening. Likewise, Sajad Lone’s sharp critique of the reservation system reflects a deeper discontent—that of shrinking space for Kashmiri-speaking youth in public services and administrative ranks.
And then there’s the Jal Jeevan Mission. Praised for its 81% rural tap water coverage, it’s now mired in a ₹690 crore scam allegation, dragging the administration into another credibility crisis.
To Abdullah’s credit, he addressed tough questions—from Article 370’s aftermath to civic indifference. His cultural preservation push and call to revive planning autonomy suggest he’s thinking beyond just fiscal numbers. But thinking alone won’t heal bruises.
This budget may be a turning point—but only if its promises materialize. Otherwise, it risks becoming another high-decibel declaration drowned in the noise of unmet expectations. In a region that has waited too long for justice, jobs, and genuine development, the burden of proof now squarely rests with Omar Abdullah’s government.
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