Minister appreciates CM Omar for extraordinary Budget 2026-27, calls it historical one
Says Budget reflects strong commitment towards human dev, inclusive growth
Jammu: The Legislative Assembly on Wednesday passed the grants amounting to Rs. 12,98,872.13 Lakh for School Education department, Rs. 8,65,476.57 Lakh for Health and Medical Education department, Rs. 4,45,671.59 Lakh for Social Welfare department and Rs. 2,15,016.37 Lakh for Higher Education department through voice vote.
Minister for Health, Medical Education, Social Welfare, and Education, Sakeena Itoo, expressed gratitude to the legislators for their valuable suggestions, emphasizing that their insights will help the government tackle sectoral challenges more effectively. She highlighted the importance of these sectors in nation-building, recalling the priorities set during Sheikh Mohammad Abdullah’s leadership and appreciating the recent budget presented by Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, which focuses on inclusive growth and human development.
Sakeena Itoo noted that prior to this government’s tenure, education policies suffered from frequent experiments without proper consultation, teachers were overburdened, and students’ performance declined. The government responded by restoring the academic session from March to November to meet parental and student demands, leading to notable improvements in exam results—achieving record-high pass percentages in classes 10th, 11th, and 12th in winter zones.
The government remains committed to empowering teachers through training and restoring respect for the teaching profession. It has regularized 2,894 contractual employees (CPWs) and hired Cluster Resource Coordinators to address staffing shortages. For human resource management, selection processes for lecturers and non-teaching staff are underway, with final stages in progress.
Infrastructure development includes the construction of 762 additional classrooms, toilets, and boundary walls across various schools. Plans for the next fiscal year include adding 329 classrooms and establishing new Atal Tinkering Labs, Science Labs, and virtual reality facilities to promote scientific temper. The department is also working to preserve regional languages by printing textbooks in languages like Dogri, Kashmiri, Pahari, and Gojri, and launching the ‘JK e-Patshala’ DTH channel for remote learning.
The health sector has seen significant upgrades, with new facilities like a 160-bedded Bone & Joint Hospital in Srinagar and a 243-bedded extension at SMGS Jammu Hospital. Over the next two years, around 3,200 beds will be added across hospitals. New surgical units, laboratories, and advanced diagnostic equipment—including CT and MRI machines—are being installed to improve patient care.
Special emphasis is placed on expanding diagnostic and emergency services, with plans to establish PET-Scan facilities and extend dialysis services to more districts. The government aims to reduce infant and neonatal mortality rates, which have already shown significant improvement, and has set targets to enhance institutional deliveries.
Cancer management is a priority, with collaborations planned with national organizations like NITI Aayog and ICMR to develop a comprehensive cancer control strategy. J&K has been recognized for its efforts in TB elimination, with over 2,060 Panchayats declared TB-free.
To strengthen human resources, over 480 medical officer posts and 582 paramedical positions are being filled, with additional academic appointments underway. The government has also increased MBBS and postgraduate seats, and upgraded healthcare facilities at SKIMS, including installing advanced radiotherapy equipment.
The social welfare sector has expanded its reach, with over 28,000 Anganwadi Centres functioning and benefits reaching 8.41 lakh individuals. Upgrades include providing modern facilities and technology in many centers, with plans to further improve infrastructure and coverage.
Pension schemes have been enhanced, increasing pensions for senior citizens, widows, and disabled persons. Marriage assistance benefits have also been raised, with disbursements exceeding Rs. 234 crore to thousands of beneficiaries. The Ladli Beti scheme has covered nearly 200,000 girls, with substantial funds allocated for future beneficiaries.
Women’s development initiatives include establishing units through the Women Development Corporation, generating employment for over 3,200 women. For marginalized communities, loans worth Rs. 1938.76 lakh have been disbursed to over 600 beneficiaries, supporting their livelihoods. Construction of hostels and community centers for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes is also progressing.
In higher education, the government has completed buildings for several new degree colleges and is developing more. Infrastructure strengthening projects under RUSA and PM-USHA are ongoing, covering universities and colleges across the region. The number of undergraduate and postgraduate courses has increased, with a focus on expanding academic offerings and employment-oriented programs.
The government has also engaged hundreds of academic staff through appointments and contractual arrangements, ensuring uninterrupted education. Notably, new facilities like hostels and specialized programs are being introduced in colleges to improve the quality and accessibility of higher education.
During the session, several legislators raised constituency-specific issues, which were acknowledged by the government. Some motions were withdrawn after assurances of action, while others, including a cut motion proposed by Waheed-ur-Rehman Parra, were defeated through a voice vote.
Overall, the assembly’s approval of the grants underscores the government’s commitment to improving infrastructure, healthcare, education, and social welfare sectors, aiming for inclusive development and better service delivery across Jammu and Kashmir.