Jammu: Leader of Opposition in the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly and senior BJP leader Sunil Sharma on Friday launched a sharp attack on the Union Territory Budget, alleging that it was tailored to serve the interests of the National Conference rather than addressing public concerns.
Addressing a press conference, Sharma said the Budget offered no tangible relief to daily wagers, unemployed youth, Below Poverty Line households or Economically Weaker Sections. He alleged that funds provided by the Centre were selectively channelled towards constituencies represented by National Conference MLAs, calling the financial plan “NC-centric” in character.
Sharma accused the government of misleading daily wage workers by failing to announce a clear and time-bound regularisation policy. He said repeated assurances over the past year and a half have yielded no concrete outcome, adding that the government’s reference to regularisation in a “phased manner” lacks definition and credibility.
Raising concerns over unemployment, the Leader of Opposition said the Budget does not reflect earlier commitments to fill vacant posts within a fixed timeframe. He criticised the decision to outsource around 24,000 jobs, alleging that the process undermines transparency and merit-based recruitment. Sharma questioned the absence of written examinations, interviews and a formal application mechanism, saying such practices deny fair opportunity to deserving candidates.
He also alleged favouritism in recent recruitments and said the Budget failed to present a clear roadmap for capital expenditure and job creation. Describing the financial document as anti-people, Sharma expressed disappointment over what he termed unfulfilled promises made to Antyodaya Anna Yojana beneficiaries.
Sharma said assurances related to free electricity and LPG cylinders have remained on paper. He claimed that the promise of 200 units of free electricity made last year was never implemented, while the revised announcement on LPG cylinders continues to lack clarity.
The BJP leader said the Budget has disappointed the people of Jammu and Kashmir and accused the government of misleading voters. He said the document reflects a disconnect between promises and delivery, exposing what he termed the government’s real priorities. (KNT)
