Jammu, March 8 (KNS): State General Secretary (Org.) of Jammu & Kashmir Ashok Koul voiced strong criticism of the recently announced state budget, highlighting a range of concerns that he believes fail to address the needs of the public.
Addressing a press conference Koul pointed out that several key promises made in the political manifesto were missing from the budget, notably the commitment to provide 12 free LPG cylinders to families. He expressed disappointment that this vital promise was not reflected in the financial proposals.
The rise in fuel prices also came under scrutiny. Koul criticized the budget for making essential commodities more expensive, particularly the hikes in petrol, diesel, and aviation fuel prices. He argued that instead of easing the financial burden on the public, the budget has exacerbated it.
A significant part of his critique was directed at the nature of the schemes presented in the budget. Koul claimed that many of these schemes were initiatives of the Central Government, rather than original plans from the state government. He noted that financial assistance for these schemes would come from the Centre, not the state, undermining the local impact of the budget.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel
Koul also expressed skepticism about the budget’s reception among the people of Jammu and Kashmir, suggesting that it would fail to meet their expectations. He stressed that the budget was unlikely to satisfy the demands of the local population, given its focus on schemes outside the state’s direct control.
Turning to the economic future of Jammu and Kashmir, Koul called for greater industrial investment to stimulate job creation and reduce the fiscal deficit. He emphasized that attracting both local and outside industries would be essential for the region's economic growth.
Lastly, Koul commented on the new electricity scheme aimed at benefiting limited families. While he welcomed the initiative, he criticized the government for not honoring its earlier commitment to provide 200 free units of electricity to all families. Instead, the benefit was extended only to a limited number of families, failing to fulfill the broader promise made to the public. (KNS)