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| Budget session of J&K Assembly to begin today | | | Early Times Report
Jammu, Feb 1: The forthcoming budget session of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly, scheduled to begin here on Monday, is expected to be stormy.
While the Opposition BJP is likely to corner the government over unfulfilled poll promises, the ruling National Conference is also likely to launch counter attack on the opposition on the issue of closing of Katra Medical College.
On the eve of the budget session, a meeting of BJP MLAs was held under the leadership of the Leader of Opposition Sunil Sharma to devise a strategy for the coming session.
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who also holds the finance portfolio, will present the Budget for the financial year 2026–27 on February 6. This will be the second budget of the Omar Abdullah-led National Conference government since it assumed office on October 16, 2024, bringing to an end nearly six years of Central rule. Last year, Omar Abdullah presented his maiden budget for the Union Territory on March 7, 2025.
The 27-day-long fifth session of the Assembly, spread across three months with multiple sittings, will commence with an address by Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha on February 2.
Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather said all necessary arrangements for the smooth conduct of the session have been put in place, with particular emphasis on security and effective utilisation of the House’s time.
“Detailed discussions were held with the concerned officers to finalise security-related arrangements. Consultations were also conducted with officials associated with the session, and media persons were briefed on the proceedings. Their demands were also taken into account,” the Speaker told reporters.
Emphasising the importance of orderly functioning of the House, Rather said an all-party meeting was convened on Friday, with representatives from across the political spectrum participating. “Deliberations focused on how to make the session more productive and beneficial for the people,” he said, adding that the Business Advisory Committee was actively involved in finalising the session’s schedule.
The Speaker said the provisional calendar prepared earlier has now been finalised and will be tabled in the House along with the report of the Business Advisory Committee. He added that the Assembly will largely function in a double-shift mode to ensure optimal utilisation of time.
Describing the Question Hour as a crucial instrument of legislative oversight, Rather urged members to make effective use of the forum by raising well-structured questions. He also called upon the government to come fully prepared to provide comprehensive and appropriate replies.
Highlighting the role of the opposition, the Speaker said it has a key responsibility to hold the government accountable, but stressed that criticism should be constructive and based on substantive issues.
According to the Assembly calendar issued by the Speaker, the budget session will conclude on April 4 and will be held in three phases — the first phase before the commencement of Ramzan, and two subsequent phases after Eid-ul-Fitr in March and April. Ramzan is expected to begin on February 18 or 19, subject to the sighting of the moon.
February will account for 18 business days and will see the presentation of the Budget for 2026–27 as well as the Supplementary Statement of Expenditure for 2025–26 on February 6. March and April will have five and four business days, respectively.
Meanwhile, political parties across Jammu and Kashmir have intensified their preparations ahead of the session, which is widely expected to witness sharp exchanges and heated debates on key political and governance issues. |
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