200 Units of Free Electricity Announced for AAY Households
10 kg Additional Free Ration Per Person for AAY Beneficiaries from April 2025
Pensions Increased for Over 10 Lakh Vulnerable Individuals
Marriage Assistance for EWS Girls Raised from ₹50,000 to ₹75,000
Free Bus Rides for Women on Government-Owned Transport from April 2025
Stamp Duty Exemption Announced for Property Transfers Within Blood Relations
Mission YUVA to Create 1.37 Lakh Enterprises and 4.25 Lakh Jobs
Avinash Azad
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah today presented his first budget for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, unveiling a range of welfare initiatives aimed at improving social welfare, infrastructure, and fiscal discipline. Delivering his maiden budget speech, the Chief Minister emphasized his government’s commitment to fostering economic growth and social progress.
Beginning his address, Omar Abdullah remarked, “This budget is more than just a financial statement—it is a roadmap for a new and prosperous Jammu and Kashmir, reflecting the aspirations of our people and laying a strong foundation for economic growth, social progress, and sustainable development.”
Key Welfare Initiatives Announced
Free Electricity for AAY Households
– The Chief Minister announced 200 units of free electricity per month for all Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) households.
– This initiative, integrated with the PM Suryaghar Bijli Yojana, will support the installation of solar systems and ensure energy security for the most vulnerable.
– An investment of ₹750 crore over five years will be allocated to reduce Aggregate Technical & Commercial (AT&C) losses and promote sustainable energy.
Enhanced Food Security
– Starting April 1, 2025, all AAY beneficiaries will receive an additional 10 kg of free ration per person per month.
– The government plans to implement Smart PDS in 2025-26 to improve service delivery and transparency in the Public Distribution System (PDS).
Free Public Transport for Women
Women across Jammu and Kashmir will benefit from free ridership on government-owned public transport, including e-buses, starting April 2025.
Marriage Assistance for EWS Girls
The financial assistance for the marriage of girls from the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS) has been increased from ₹50,000 to ₹75,000.
Pension Enhancements
– Pensions have been increased for over 10 lakh individuals under the Integrated Social Assistance Scheme (ISSS) and the National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP).
– ₹1,250 per month for individuals below 60 years
– ₹1,500 per month for those aged 60 to below 80 years
– ₹2,000 per month for those aged 80 years and above
Stamp Duty Exemption
– A complete exemption of stamp duty on property transfers within blood relations was announced to facilitate ease of transactions and reduce inheritance disputes.
Sectoral Allocations and Development Plans
Power Sector:
– Allocation of ₹2,021.37 crore, an increase of ₹762.80 crore from 2024-25.
– Commitment to achieve self-sufficiency in power by 2027-28 through 7,500 MW hydro projects and smart grid investments.
Agriculture & Allied Sectors:
– Allocation of ₹2,221.58 crore, marking an increase of ₹332.72 crore.
– Focus on the Holistic Agriculture Development Programme (HADP) with an outlay of ₹5013 crore until 2027-28.
Infrastructure:
– ₹4,062.93 crore for Roads & Bridges, including plans to blacktop 4,000 km of roads in 2025-26.
– Allocation of ₹2,662.71 crore for Irrigation & Water Supply.
Health & Education:
-₹1,750.50 crore for the Health Sector; the SEHAT App will soon be launched to improve healthcare accessibility.
– ₹1,388.97 crore for the Education Sector, including the establishment of the Jammu & Kashmir Skill & Entrepreneurship University (J&K SEU).
Tourism & Industry:
– ₹390.20 crore allocated for tourism, with plans to develop new master plans for major destinations like Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and Sonamarg.
– ₹602.85 crore for the Industries Sector, with 46 new industrial estates under development.
Youth Empowerment:
– The Mission YUVA program will be launched to create 1,37,000 enterprises and 4.25 lakh jobs through startups and MSMEs over the next five years.
Disaster Management:
– A ₹39 crore Disaster Mitigation Fund will be established for flood and landslide protection and climate resilience.
Governance and Fiscal Discipline: The Chief Minister underscored the government’s focus on enhancing revenue collection, reducing reliance on central grants, and improving digital governance through 1,166 online government services available on the e-Unnat portal and real-time grievance redressal through JK SAMADHAN and RAABITA platforms. In conclusion, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah commended the 2025-26 budget to the Legislative Assembly for consideration, emphasizing his government’s dedication to economic growth, social welfare, and a self-reliant Jammu and Kashmir.
