Jammu, Feb 11(KNS): : The Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly on Wednesday passed grants for the financial year 2026-27 amounting to Rs 12,98,872.13 lakh for the School Education department, Rs 8,65,476.57 lakh for Health and Medical Education, Rs 4,45,671.59 lakh for Social Welfare, and Rs 2,15,016.37 lakh for Higher Education through voice vote.
Speaking after the passage of the grants, Minister for Health and Medical Education, Social Welfare and Education, Sakeena Itoo expressed gratitude to legislators for their suggestions and said the departments will examine them to address constituency-specific issues.
She termed the budget presented by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah on February 6 as “historical,” reflecting a strong commitment towards human development, improved service delivery and inclusive growth.
Highlighting key reforms in the School Education sector, Itoo said the government restored the academic session from March to November and emphasized teacher empowerment, regularization of 2,894 CPWs, recruitment of Cluster Resource Coordinators and filling of lecturer and non-teaching staff vacancies.
The Minister said 2356 projects, including 288 additional classrooms, have been approved under Capex, and proposed 329 more classrooms for high and higher secondary schools in the next fiscal.
Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp ChannelShe added 172 Atal Tinkering Labs have been set up and 2733 smart classrooms and 289 virtual reality labs are planned for 2026-27.
On Health, Itoo highlighted the operationalization of a 160-bed Bone & Joint Hospital block in Srinagar, 243-bed extension of SMGS Jammu, addition of 3,200 beds over the next two years, new Cath Labs, CT/MRI machines, dialysis units, and advanced surgical facilities across J&K. She said de-addiction centres in all districts have provided around 1.5 lakh consultations and community rehabilitation programs have trained 600 counsellors.
On Social Welfare, the Minister said 28,186 Anganwadi centres are functional, 653 upgraded as Bal Vidyalas, pensions enhanced for over 10 lakh beneficiaries, and marriage assistance increased to Rs 75,000 for AAY families.
She also outlined progress in Higher Education, including construction of 24 degree colleges, establishment of 7 girls hostels, introduction of 58 major undergraduate programmes and 153 additional courses across 65 colleges.
Legislators raised constituency-specific concerns, and some withdrew cut motions after assurances from the Minister.(KNS).