10 Key Takeaways from Jammu and Kashmir Budget 2025-26: Growth, Welfare & Development

 Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah presented the Union Territory's budget for the fiscal year 2025-26, marking the first budget by an elected government in seven years. The budget emphasizes inclusive growth, fiscal prudence, and strategic investments across various sectors. Here are the 10 key takeaways:

1. Agriculture and Horticulture: An allocation of ₹815 crore aims to generate 2.88 lakh jobs, promote a two-crop pattern, and expand horticulture activities.

2. Tourism Development: ₹390.20 crore has been earmarked to boost tourism, with plans to increase homestays, promote water sports, and develop Sonmarg as a winter sports destination.

3. Infrastructure Enhancement: The budget proposes black-topping 4,000 kilometers of road length and completing 60 ongoing bridge projects, with an estimated ₹500 crore allocated for road improvements.

4. Education Sector: ₹500 crore is allocated to enhance higher education infrastructure, including academic blocks, science labs, and hostels. Additionally, 5.75 lakh elementary students will receive free textbooks.

5. Women's Empowerment: Initiatives include the 'Lakhpati Didi' scheme, aiming to assist 40,000 women, and the enhancement of the Marriage Assistance Scheme grant from ₹50,000 to ₹75,000 for girls from economically weaker sections.

6. Social Welfare: The budget proposes 200 units of free electricity per month and 10 kg of free ration per person for families under the Antyodaya Anna Yojana, starting April 1.

7. Industrial Development: Plans to develop 46 new industrial estates with a provision of ₹310 crore, alongside upgrading existing estates with ₹100 crore, aim to boost local industries and employment.

8. Healthcare Improvements: The budget emphasizes enhancing healthcare infrastructure and services, reflecting the government's commitment to improving public health.

9. Support for Entrepreneurs: A ₹50 crore allocation is set to provide financial aid, mentorship, and incubation support for emerging entrepreneurs, fostering innovation and economic growth.

10. Fiscal Prudence: The budget estimates revenue receipts at ₹97,982 crore and capital receipts at ₹14,328 crore, with revenue expenditure projected at ₹79,703 crore and capital expenditure at ₹32,607 crore, aiming for a zero-deficit budget.

This comprehensive budget reflects the government's dedication to sustainable development, social welfare, and economic stability in Jammu and Kashmir.

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Equity in Policy: Addressing socio-economic disparities and ensuring inclusivity by Dhwanii Pandit

 Equity is one of the four pillars of a policy other than protection, labor and benefit (National Academy of Social Insurance, 2022). The world today is rooted in diversities which exist at all levels ranging from ethnicity to education. Hence, the agents of the governments today all across the world aim at making policies equitable and inclusive along with the constant eye on its implementation.

Socio economic disparities are double-edged sword. While on one hand, they can provide an opportunity for innovation & wealth creation, on the other hand, they often perpetuate inequality & poverty.

One of the foremost areas for equity in policy making is gender. Despite significant progress, gender disparities still persist across the globe, with women and gender minorities facing barriers in development. The recent Taliban’s oppression of women is prime example. Hence, policies like equal pay legislations, paternal leaves, gender quotas make a way for development. India’s Nari Shakti Vandan Adhiniyam, 2023 sets an example of women reservation in the legislature.

Education is another cornerstone of equity. Access to quality education is often the first step in achieving social and economic mobility, yet disparities in educational opportunities based on socio-economic status, geography, and gender continue to hold back millions. To ensure equitable education, policies must focus on providing inclusive curricula, addressing gaps in access, and ensuring that all children, regardless of background, are given the tools they need to succeed for example the Right to Education (RTE) under article 21 of the Indian Constitution

Equitable access to healthcare is a fundamental human right, but unequal distribution of resources and services continues to create vast disparities in health outcomes. Addressing health equity requires improving healthcare access, reducing financial barriers, and ensuring culturally competent care for all populations. Norway’s healthcare system promotes equity through universal coverage and equitable resource distribution.

At the workplace, equity is critical to creating environments where all individuals can contribute and succeed. Discriminatory practices, unequal pay, and lack of diversity in leadership roles are just some of the challenges that persist. Implementing policies that promote inclusive hiring practices, provide equal pay for equal work, and ensure safe and supportive work environments are essential steps toward achieving workplace equity. Canada is known for prioritizing equity laws supporting inclusive hiring practices.

Another form of equity that needs to be determined is in land leasing. For instance, post-independence India faced significant inequities in land and tenancy, as efforts like the abolition of zamindari and land redistribution were unevenly implemented, benefiting large landlords while marginalizing tenants and landless farmers. Land leasing acts are required to improve agricultural efficiency and equity, access to land by the landless and semi-landless poor, occupational diversity and for accelerated rural growth and transformation. The most prominent example can be of the Model Agricultural Land Leasing Act, 2016 prepared by NITI AAYOG in India. It serves as a guide for the States and UTs to draft their own piece of leasing legislation on the basis of the model law, keeping in view the local requirement.

Hence, countries today have been trying to include the sustainable development goals like Gender Equality, Good Health & Well Being etc. for policymaking. As it is rightly said, 

                  “Equity is the soul of public policy; without it, just remains a distant dream”

The author is a Policy Research Intern @IISPPR (International Institute of SDG's and Public Policy Research)