Focus on restoring power, water supply: CM Omar
Shadow Correspondent
Jammu, jan 23:
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday chaired a pre-Budget consultation meeting with key stakeholders at the Civil Secretariat here to gather inputs and perspectives from various sectors ahead of the Budget 2026–27 of Jammu and Kashmir.
The meeting was attended by Ministers Sakina Itoo, Javaid Ahmad Dar and Satish Sharma; Additional Chief Secretary Dheeraj Gupta; ACS Tourism Ashish Chander Verma; Principal Secretary Finance Santosh D. Vaidya; Commissioner Secretary Industries & Commerce Vikramjit Singh; Secretary Social Welfare Sarmad Hafiz, besides senior officers from other departments.
During the meeting, stakeholders, including industrialists, traders, hoteliers, tour and travel operators, educationists, agriculturists, horticulturists, entrepreneurs and representatives of various business bodies presented their suggestions and inputs for consideration in the forthcoming Budget.
The discussions were held as part of the ongoing preparations for the Budget 2026–27 for Jammu and Kashmir.
Addressing the gathering, the Chief Minister said that these interactions are an integral part of the Government’s annual pre-Budget consultations, aimed at collecting feedback from diverse sectors to help shape policies and ensure effective allocation of resources.
Giving a patient hearing to all participants, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah observed that pre-Budget consultations play a crucial role in addressing key economic challenges and promoting inclusive growth. He emphasised the need to present a people-friendly Budget that reflects public aspirations and sentiments.
The Chief Minister further noted that suggestions received during these consultations would help in formulating a responsive and pragmatic Budget framework. He assured the participants that their inputs would be carefully examined and, wherever feasible, incorporated into the Budget 2026–27.
Following the season’s first snowfall in Jammu and Kashmir, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday said that the focus of his government was on restoring essential services like power and water supply and clearing the roads.Speaking to reporters, CM Omar Abdullah said, “We had been waiting for snowfall. We were able to supply only 100 megawatt of electricity this morning as compared to 1700 megawatt due to strong winds and current weather”.”Important roads are being cleared and opened. The focus is on power, water supply and road clearing. This snowfall is very important to us, as it benefits us during the summer season”.He further said that more tourists can be expected in the valley after the snowfall.”This season Srinagar has not received snowfall till now, even when the airport received 4 inches of snowfall…We can expect more tourists after the snowfall in the Kashmir Valley.”The Banihal town of Ramban district on Friday witnessed the season’s first heavy snowfall as fresh snow blanketed the entire region, bringing winter conditions in full force.The snowfall began late last night and continued for several hours, leading to a sharp drop in temperature and reduced visibility.The plains and upper reaches of Doda’s Bhalesa and its adjoining areas also saw their first snowfall after a prolonged dry spell of nearly three months. People expressed a sense of significant relief and happiness at the much-awaited snowfall.Meanwhile, Baramulla, Budgam, and the hill resort town of Batote in Ramban also received a significant amount of snowfall, covering the area in a mesmerising white spell.The Jammu-Srinagar National Highway (NH-44) was closed on Friday due to heavy rain and snowfall, with movement also stopped at Jakhani Chowk in Udhampur.Snowfall also disrupted air travel, with Srinagar Airport and IndiGo Airlines announcing temporary suspension and cancellation of several flights.
