Srinagar, Feb 07 (KNS): Jammu and Kashmir Pradesh Congress Committee (JKPCC) president and legislator Tariq Hameed Karra on Saturday described the Union Budget as disappointing for Jammu and Kashmir, saying allocations fell short of the region’s needs and past norms.

 

Speaking to news agency Kashmir News Service (KNS), Karra said the Union Budget, like last year’s, did not provide adequate financial support to Jammu and Kashmir, which continues to face economic, infrastructural and climatic challenges.

 

“Earlier, there used to be a natural step-up of around 10 per cent in allocations keeping inflation in mind. Last year, that was reduced, and this time the step-up is only 4.2 per cent,” Karra said, adding that the total allocation of Rs 42,650 crore did not reflect the requirements of the Union Territory.

 

He said the 4.2 per cent increase had been shown as a resource gap and was significantly lower than earlier benchmarks. Karra also raised concerns over allocations for disaster management, stating that Rs 289 crore earmarked for the purpose was inadequate.

 

“Jammu and Kashmir has suffered floods, weather-related disasters and heavy losses to infrastructure and agriculture. Compared to the damage to roads, orchards and farmland, this amount is negligible,” he said.

 

Karra added that Rs 101 crore allocated for capital expenditure was also insufficient. He said there was no specific compensation component for losses suffered by farmers, orchardists and transporters due to extreme weather events and past floods.

 

Referring to claims by the Jammu and Kashmir government about receiving financial support from the Centre, Karra said such support was not reflected in the budget figures. “Perhaps the Chief Minister will explain why this support is not visible in the allocations,” he said.

 

On the upcoming Jammu and Kashmir Assembly budget session, Karra said the Congress remained an alliance partner of the National Conference and would take decisions on floor management after internal discussions.Click Here To Follow Our WhatsApp Channel

 

“We are alliance partners and participate whenever the government needs support. Meetings are held by parties as per their own prerogative. We will decide our participation after discussions on issues to be raised,” he said.

 

Karra said Congress would raise its priority issues during the session, including the demand for restoration of statehood to Jammu and Kashmir.

 

Responding to questions about promises made by the National Conference during elections, including on electricity, gas connections and preventive detention laws, Karra said each party was responsible for its own manifesto. “They fought elections on their manifesto, and we fought on ours. They have to respond to their commitments,” he said.

 

On incidents of alleged harassment of people from Jammu and Kashmir in other states, Karra said such cases were increasing and were linked to a political environment created over the past decade.

 

“There has been a tradition of people from Kashmir travelling to other states for work during winters. But since 2014, an atmosphere has been created where they are being treated as outsiders and branded anti-national,” he said.

 

Karra alleged that such incidents were more frequent in BJP-ruled states and intensified ahead of elections. He cited an incident in Himachal Pradesh, saying swift action was taken there within 24 hours after intervention by Congress leaders.

 

He said the Congress leadership, including party president Mallikarjun Kharge and Rahul Gandhi, was raising these concerns and opposing what he described as politics based on religion. Karra urged political parties to focus on issue-based politics instead.(KNS)