AJK govt presents over Rs310 billion budget for FY 2025-26

Muzaffarabad (Web Desk): Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) government unveiled its budget for the financial year 2024-25, announcing a budget of over Rs310.2 billion.

This marks an increase of Rs8.62 billion compared to the previous fiscal year.

The budget was presented in the AJK Legislative Assembly by Finance Minister Abdul Majid Khan, who laid out the government's plans and financial priorities for the upcoming year.

During his address to the assembly, the finance minister revealed that the total budget outlay for 2025-26 has been fixed at Rs310.2 billion, which encompasses both development and non-development spending.

Of the total amount, Rs261 billion have been earmarked for non-development expenditures, while Rs49 billion are allocated for development projects.

A key highlight of the budget is the allocation of Rs2 billion for the launch of a health card program, aimed at expanding access to medical services.

In the education sector, Rs240 million have been designated under an education package for the purpose of upgrading schools and establishing new educational institutions.

To address staffing gaps in schools, Rs60 million have been set aside specifically to tackle the shortage of teachers.

Furthermore, biometric attendance systems have now been rolled out across all government departments to improve administrative efficiency.

To support citizens with basic necessities, the government has earmarked Rs3.799 billion for food subsidies, with a focus on making flour more affordable to the general public.

Additionally, Rs1.5 billion have been proposed for improvements in the information and communication sector, signaling the government's intent to invest in technological infrastructure.

However, the session in which the budget was presented faced disruption.

Prior to the official proceedings, opposition members staged a protest by locking the doors of the legislative assembly, preventing government representatives from entering and delaying the session.

Finance Minister Abdul Majid Khan condemned the move, describing it as unlawful and against parliamentary norms.

He appealed to the opposition to participate in the assembly and voice their concerns in a formal and constitutional manner.