The J&K UT first Budget session is likely to have a stormy start on March 3 , 2025 with opposition parties included BJP, PDP etc will demand ban on sale and consumption of liquor, besides revisiting of reservation. The government has listed 30 Bills, besides the financial business. The session will start with Lt Governor Manoj Sinha address in the assembly. After the L-G’s address, Finance Minister who happened to be the chief minister of J&K will present budget on March 7. For this session, the government has listed 30 Bills, besides the financial business. The Pvt members Bills included the amendment in reservation policy, ban on liquor if allowed by Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather will be taken up for discussion. Accordingly to MLA Veeri has moved Pvt member bill seeking reduction in Scheduled Caste reservation from 8 to 4 pc in jobs and reservation. It will be the acid test for the seven Scheduled Caste MLAs from BJP to save reservation in the best interest of their community. Another Pvt member Bill is to ban on sale and consumption of liquor in J&KUT. If this will be allowed to be taken in the house, it will directly impact on the tourism in Jammu and Kashmir. Like Gujarat and other states who have banned liquor, the J&K too loose the tourists in Lakhs in future. Out of 30 bills submitted by the MLAs most of them are not in favour of the J&K UT and its people. However, Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather who is very seasoned politician gave a word of caution to all the MLAs circulating their bills on social media platform to get cheap publicity. Speaker also warned all the MLAs from reaching to the media on those bills those are not approved by the Assembly to be taken up in coming session. Pertinent to mention, CM Omar Abdullah already told the people of J&K that do not expect too much on the first budget. It means that to get one lakh jobs by educated unemployed youths and 200 Unit free electricity J&K residents have to wait one more year. However, BJP and PDP members have made different strategy to gherao the NC govt in the house on several issues included revisiting of reservation policy bill and ban on liquor bill. Besides, the most important J&K Business rule 2025 Bill will also be taken in the session most likely before the presentation of budget. Earlier, Speaker also held discussion with selective media persons to make strategy of media coverage of day to day proceedings. Speaker must review his own decision on restriction on carrying mobiles by media persons in the media gallery of assembly. Overall this session will be very crucial for the NC Govt which is struggling for power. However, Congress is keeping silent on session. It’s core issue will be restoration of statehood to J&K and preserve land and jobs for the local youths.
