J&K Budget 2025-26: A Visionless Document That Fails the People, Says Advocate Mir Imran

Handwara, March 7: The Jammu and Kashmir Budget 2025-26, presented by the National Conference-led government, has sparked widespread disappointment, with critics calling it a visionless document that fails to address the pressing issues of unemployment, infrastructure, and economic growth. While the government claims it to be a "historic" step forward, many see it as a mere continuation of past failures, offering nothing new to uplift the struggling population.  

One of the major concerns surrounding the budget is the lack of an increase in central assistance. With the allocation remaining at ₹41,000.07 crore—unchanged from last year—the government’s inability to negotiate a higher share from the Centre reflects its weak leadership. In times of rising inflation and growing demands, a stagnant budget signals stagnation rather than progress. Advocate Mir Imran, a prominent lawyer and activist, criticized the government for lacking both ambition and competence. "If the government was serious about economic revival, it would have demanded a larger allocation and introduced real reforms. Instead, this is just a lazy repetition of last year's budget," he said.  

The unemployment crisis, one of the most pressing issues in Jammu and Kashmir, has been largely ignored. There is no roadmap for job creation, no significant provisions for skill development, and no large-scale recruitment drives to absorb the thousands of educated youth struggling to find employment. The absence of any concrete policies in this regard has left young people disillusioned. "This budget does nothing for our unemployed youth. It seems the government is more interested in political survival than securing the future of the next generation," said Mir Imran.  

Infrastructure development, which could have been a key driver of economic growth, has also been neglected. The ₹101.77 crore earmarked for capital expenditure is seen as grossly insufficient to address the crumbling roads, outdated transport systems, and unreliable power supply that continue to plague the region. Critics argue that instead of making bold investments to modernize the infrastructure, the government has once again chosen a half-hearted approach that does little to attract investment or boost economic activity. Mir Imran remarked that if the government was truly committed to development, there would have been massive investments in roads, electricity, and connectivity, but instead, the same cycle of negligence continues.  

The government has tried to highlight its initiative of providing *free e-bus services for women, but this scheme has been **confined to cities, ignoring rural areas entirely. While urban centers benefit from this initiative, **there are no e-buses or even government buses running in rural areas, leaving thousands of women, students, and daily commuters without reliable transport. This glaring disparity reflects the government's urban-centric policies while neglecting the **transport crisis in villages and remote areas*. "This so-called free service is just a publicity stunt. The reality is that rural areas continue to suffer from a complete lack of public transport, making daily travel a nightmare for thousands," said Mir Imran.  

The budget also makes a mention of a National Law University (NLU) in J&K, which is being pushed as a major educational reform. However, instead of spending massive funds on creating a new institution from scratch, the government could have *upgraded the existing law school at Kashmir University to the standards of a National Law University. Experts believe that **strengthening established institutions* would have been a more practical approach rather than diverting resources into another project that may take years to materialize. "Rather than advocating for a new National Law University, the government should have focused on upgrading Kashmir University’s Law Department to match NLU standards. This would have immediately benefited students without unnecessary delays," said Mir Imran.  

One of the most controversial aspects of the budget is the *relocation of the under-construction Government Medical College (GMC) Handwara* to a safer location. While the decision to shift the project is being justified on safety grounds, the budget *fails to address the crores of public money already spent on the existing structure. There is **no discussion on accountability for those who approved the feasibility of a flood-prone area for such a crucial project*. "This is another example of the government's inefficiency. Public funds were wasted on a flawed project, and now they want to shift it without holding anyone accountable. Who will answer for the crores already spent?" questioned Mir Imran.  

Adding to the frustration, *North Kashmir, particularly Handwara, finds no place in the budget*. Despite its significant population and developmental needs, the government has chosen to overlook this region entirely, further deepening the sense of alienation among the people. The repeated neglect of North Kashmir exposes the government's indifference toward balanced development. "This budget is a direct insult to the people of North Kashmir. Handwara, a region that has been waiting for basic infrastructure and investment, has been completely ignored. Does this government even recognize our existence?" said Mir Imran.  

The agriculture and tourism sectors, which form the backbone of J&K’s economy, have also received little attention in the budget. Farmers continue to struggle with low market prices and lack of government support, while the tourism industry remains in dire need of better infrastructure and promotion. Without strategic investments, both sectors will remain stagnant, further widening the economic gap. Expressing his disappointment, Mir Imran stated that the government has once again failed to recognize the potential of these sectors, which could generate employment and revenue if properly supported.  

The budget has drawn sharp criticism from the opposition and economic experts, who describe it as uninspiring and lacking in vision. Many believe that the ruling National Conference is simply recycling old policies without offering any concrete solutions to J&K’s economic woes. The absence of bold decisions and long-term planning raises serious concerns about whether the government is capable of steering the region toward progress. "This budget is a missed opportunity. Instead of addressing real issues, the NC government has repeated the same mistakes of the past. J&K deserves better leadership—one that actually cares about its people," said Mir Imran.  

With no major reforms, no new economic vision, and no relief for struggling communities, the J&K Budget 2025-26 exposes the incompetence of the ruling party. If this trend of directionless governance continues, the region will remain trapped in economic distress. As dissatisfaction grows, people are left questioning whether the National Conference is even capable of delivering the change it once promised.