Jammu- Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Friday said that an Union Territory with an assembly is the “worst form” of government in the country, adding that the country should either have only states or only UTs. “I still maintain that a UT with an Assembly is by far the worst form of government in the country. I have no hesitation in saying this. There should only be two systems in this country- either you have a UT without Assembly or a state,” the J-K CM said addressing a press conference in Jammu. He further said that the Budget is the love letter to the people of Jammu and Kashmir. “I don’t expect anything but criticism of this Budget from the Opposition…This Budget is a love letter to the people of Jammu and Kashmir,” Omar added. He said that the government’s effort has been to present a budget that benefits the people and makes their daily lives easier. “I am fully aware that after 2018, once again, the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly has witnessed the presentation of the state budget. Along with that, I also realise that this is the first time in the state’s history that the Chief Minister of Jammu and Kashmir, in the capacity of the finance minister, has presented the budget. Our effort has been to present a budget that benefits the people and makes their daily lives easier, accelerating the pace of development. We never claimed that everything would be achieved in one budget. I am not saying everything is done, but we have laid down a blueprint for the next five years,” Omar added. The Chief Minister said that, “We want a vibrant press in J-K. The Press Club in Jammu is operational, but the Srinagar one is not. We will take steps to re-operationalise the Srinagar Press Club.” He further said that the state government are formulating a new hydropower policy. “It is currently at the formulation stage in the Power Department. The framework of the policy is ready. Its aim is to focus on growth and transmission and distribution,” he added. The Jammu and Kashmir CM said that the government will try to get the southern film industry to come to J-K. “We will try to get the southern film industry to come to Jammu & Kashmir to shoot their films. This will help us attract more tourists from south India,” Omar Abdullah said. Earlier today, Omar Abdullah presented the budget and emphasized that the region is on the path to lasting peace. It was the first budget to be presented by the elected government in the last seven years. He mentioned that the state’s GST compliance has increased and expressed commitment to aligning with Sustainable Development Goals (SDG). The budget includes an allocation of Rs 815 crores for agriculture, to generate 2.88 lakh jobs. The government will promote a two-crop pattern and focus on expanding horticulture. Meanwhile, government also plans to boost wool processing and promote the leather tanning industry, which is expected to help the local economy. The budget has provisioned Rs 390.20 crore for tourism development, with plans to increase homestays, promote water sports, and develop Sonmarg as a winter sports destination. The government also plans to operationalize a new film policy, aiming to make JK a prime destination for film production and eco-tourism. They will also focus on constructing 500 new Panchayat Ghars to improve local infrastructure. The budget also includes provisions for grants worth Rs 5,000 crore, aimed at boosting the region’s development. The budget also focused on industry as it plans to establish 64 industrial estates and address traders’ concerns with a new policy offering price preferences. Additionally, there will be a focus on promoting Pashmina and other local products, with seven more products set to receive GI (Geographical Indication) tagging. In the healthcare sector, the budget includes provisions for two new AIIMS institutions and ten fully-equipped nursing colleges. To further improve medical infrastructure, three new Cath Labs will be established, MRI machines will be installed in all government hospitals, and dialysis services will be expanded to all district hospitals.
“UT with Assembly is by far worst form of government in country”: J-K CM Omar Abdullah
