L-G summons J&K Assembly for Budget session from February 2
Has advanced the schedule in view of the holy month of Ramzan
Jammu and Kashmir Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha has summoned the Budget Session of the Legislative Assembly from February 2, advancing the schedule in view of the holy month of Ramzan.
Last year, the Budget Session commenced on March 3, with Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who also holds the Finance portfolio, presenting the budget on March 7.
According to an official order, the Budget Session of the J&K Legislative Assembly will begin with the Lieutenant Governor’s address. “I, Manoj Sinha, Lieutenant Governor of the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir, in exercise of the powers conferred upon me under Section 18(1) of the Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019, do hereby summon the Legislative Assembly for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir to meet at Jammu on Monday, the 2nd of February, 2026, at 10 am,” the order stated.
The session is expected to be held in two phases—one before the commencement of Ramzan and the other after Eid celebrations. However, clarity on the exact schedule will emerge once the detailed programme of the session is released.
The budget is likely to be passed before the beginning of Ramzan, which is expected to start around February 20. Private members’ bills are expected to be taken up after Eid, about a month later.
The upcoming session will also see the participation of two newly elected MLAs—Peoples Democratic Party’s Aga Muntazir Mehdi and Bharatiya Janata Party’s Devyani Rana—who won the by-elections held in November last year.
The session is expected to be stormy, with the opposition likely to raise several contentious issues. The reservation policy is among the key matters expected to be debated by members across party lines.
Assembly Secretary Manoj Kumar Pandit has issued a bulletin directing MLAs to submit 10 starred and 10 unstarred questions by January 12. Members have also been asked to submit two private members’ bills by January 15 and four resolutions by January 17.
Notably, while the Lieutenant Governor will address the Assembly for the third time, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah will present the budget for the second consecutive year.
