Not ashamed of support from Centre as J&K isn’t financially independent: CM

Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on Tuesday said that Jammu and Kashmir is dependent on financial support from the Central government as it is not self-sufficient.

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Replying to the discussion on Budget in Legislative Assembly, Omar said, “The Central government has extended financial support to us. Should I be ashamed to admit it? No, I will not. The reality is that we are not yet self-sufficient. We are not financially independent. That is our challenge. And that is precisely what we must work toward.”

He stressed that J&K had always relied on Central funds, but the goal was to achieve financial self-reliance in the long run. “This is not a new struggle. Our past budgets reflect the same reality. But we aspire for more. We aim for a future where J&K stands on its own feet. To achieve this, the government has focused on developing new tourism destinations, industrial estates, and encouraging start-ups and entrepreneurship,” he said.

The CM, however, said that there was a misconception that Centrally-sponsored schemes (CSS) are fully funded by the Government of India as the UT also contributes significantly. He cited the PM Golden Card, which covers only BPL families under Central funding, while the remaining 18 lakh families are supported by the UT. Similarly, under the National Social Assistance Programme, 1.43 lakh BPL families receive pensions from Central funds, but eight lakh additional pensioners are covered by the UT’s own resources.

The CM emphasised that after years of struggle, the Budget was finally being discussed within J&K itself, instead of just being passed in Parliament. “This is an achievement in itself. Some may argue that we still do not have a government of our own. But let me remind them—this budget is for the people of J&K, and it is being debated where it truly belongs,” he said.

Addressing the interpretation of his Budget speech, Omar Abdullah reiterated, “My budget speech is a love letter to the BJP, to the Peoples Conference (PC), to the PDP, to the AIP, to Congress, to the CPI(M), to independent MLAs, and, above all, to the people of J&K. Why do we write love letters? To express love. And do we not love those who are in need? Through this Budget, we have tried to extend that love by addressing their challenges and aspirations.”

“I am not ashamed to call it a love letter. In fact, for the next five years, we will continue writing such love letters of commitment, of progress and of transformation for the people of J&K” Abdullah said.