KD NEWS SERVICE
SRINAGAR, Mar 8: BJP General Secretary (Organization) Ashok Koul, Saturday said that people of Jammu and Kashmir were unhappy with the Budget presented by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. He said the Budget lacked significant benefits for the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
Koul pointed out that the Budget did not fulfill the promises made by the National Conference government in their manifesto, such as providing 12 LPG cylinders to households.
He also highlighted the increase in fuel prices, with petrol and diesel price proposed to be increased by Rs 1-2 per litre and aviation fuel by 5 PERCENT.
“This budget is not about reducing expenses; instead, it makes life more expensive,” Koul told reporters in Srinagar. “There is nothing special in this budget. While they have announced several schemes, most of them are central schemes, and the J&K will only receive increased financial assistance under these schemes. There is nothing in this Budget that would make the people of J&K happy.”
Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah presented the Union Territory’s first budget on Friday, which was the also the first budget by the elected government in the last seven years.
Abdullah also announced 200 units of free electricity for Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) families.
BJP leader Koul welcomed the move but questioned the government over its earlier promise to provide 200 free units to all households.
“We appreciate the support for Antyodaya families, but there are only a few such families in each village. The promise was to give 200 units free to everyone, which has not been fulfilled,” he added.
Commenting on Chief Minister Omar Abdullah’s remarks as to “who is stopping you from taking Pakistan-occupied Kashmir (PoK)”, Koul said that it was a mere taunt.
“This is not a matter of taunts. Omar has as much responsibility for J&K as I do. His comment is not appropriate. I don’t think our CM should be making such statements,” Koul said.(Agencies)
