Srinagar: After the repeal of Article 370 in Jammu and Kashmir, the budget was presented in the assembly for the first time. The announcements made by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah seem similar to the policies of BJP and Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) in many ways. Omar Abdullah, in his budget, not only adopted the development policies of BJP-ruled states but also mixed the free schemes and welfare strategies of AAP. The BJP model is seen in industrialization, agricultural reforms, tourism development, and health services, while the AAP style is reflected in free bus travel and solar energy schemes.
Whose imprint is on Omar's budget?
The Omar government announced the creation of 64 new industrial estates, which will increase investment. This policy is similar to BJP-ruled states like Gujarat and Madhya Pradesh, where special emphasis was laid on industrialization. There too, Special Economic Zones (SEZs) have been created to give priority to industries. Promoting industrialization and implementing a price preference policy for traders has been the strategy of BJP governments. The Omar government adopted this model.
The announcement of free travel in government buses for all women from April 1 is similar to the free bus travel scheme implemented by the Aam Aadmi Party (AAP) government in Delhi and Punjab. ₹2,221.58 crore was allocated in the budget for agriculture and allied sectors, which was planned to increase the income of farmers. This matches the 'Double Income Farmers' policy announced by Prime
Minister Narendra Modi.
The Modi government has always emphasized agriculture and rural areas, like the PM Kisan Yojana, in which financial assistance is given to farmers. The Omar government's announcement to strengthen rural infrastructure and build 50,000 new houses under PMAY-Gramin seems to be in this direction.
The AAP governments in Delhi and Punjab had announced free supply of electricity and water for farmers. The Omar government has taken a step on the same lines by bringing a free solar energy scheme.
The plan to make Gulmarg, Pahalgam, and Sonamarg world-class tourist destinations matches the strategy to increase tourism in BJP-ruled Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh. The governments of Himachal and Uttarakhand have focused on religious and adventure tourism. The Omar government also aimed to make Gulmarg and Sonamarg international-level winter sports hubs.
The Delhi government has been bringing schemes like 'Delhi Darshan' to promote cultural tourism. In Jammu and Kashmir too, emphasis was laid on local products and cultural tourism.
For health services, two new AIIMS, 10 nursing colleges, telemedicine services, and health insurance of ₹5 lakh to every citizen were announced in the budget. The Modi government's 'Ayushman Bharat Yojana' is similar, in which health insurance coverage was given to poor families. Omar government's scheme is also based on this model.
The Aam Aadmi Party brought health services to the local level by bringing 'Mohalla Clinic' in Delhi. The Omar government tried to adopt it through telemedicine and cath labs.
In the budget, under the 'Lakhpati Didi' scheme, assistance was announced to 40,000 women to open small enterprises. The Modi government's 'Mahila Udyamita Yojana' and 'Startup India' are built on the same lines. The scheme to make women economically self-reliant matches BJP's 'Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao' program. The AAP government has emphasized on giving special opportunities to women in jobs and startups. This scheme of Omar government seems to be inspired by this.
Special attention was given in the budget to prevent plastic pollution at tourist places and waste management. The Delhi government's 'Yamuna Safai Yojana' and 'Banaye Sundar Delhi' campaign are similar efforts. Emphasis was laid on environmental improvement on the lines of the BJP-led government's 'Swachh Bharat Abhiyan'. The mention of plastic-free tourist destinations and waste management is in line with AAP's environmental policies.
Omar Thanks PM Modi
Chief Minister Omar Abdullah thanked Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Home Minister Amit Shah, and Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman for their support. The CM assured the people that the budget focuses on development, transparency, and economic stability.
