JAMMU – Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah is set to present the Union Territory’s budget for the financial year 2026-27 in the Legislative Assembly today, February 6.
In a notable shift in tone, Abdullah stated on Thursday that he will not hesitate to thank Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Centre for initiatives that benefit J&K, even if it “upsets” his allies in the Congress party.
Budget 2026-27: Key Expectations
-
Priority Sectors: The budget is expected to focus heavily on tourism, industrial development, and the horticulture sector, which form the backbone of the region’s economy.
-
Daily Wagers & Employment: A significant announcement is anticipated regarding the long-standing demand for the regularization of daily wagers and job creation for unemployed youth.
-
Fiscal Realism: Following last year’s “fiscal realism” approach, the budget is projected to be between ₹1.20 lakh crore and ₹1.25 lakh crore, supported by a ₹2,000 crore increase in Grant-in-Aid from the Centre.
-
Infrastructure & Power: Plans to address power outages and improve the ease of doing business through streamlined tourism registration rules are also high on the agenda.
Navigating Alliances
Abdullah’s readiness to cooperate with the Centre marks a pragmatic phase for the National Conference (NC) government.
“I am not one of those people who would not be thankful for a good cause for Jammu and Kashmir… I will thank the Centre whenever they do good work.” — Omar Abdullah, Chief Minister
While the Congress, led by J&K chief Tariq Hamid, remains a critical ally, Abdullah appears intent on prioritizing UT-Centre coordination to secure the restoration of statehood and economic stability.
