SRINAGAR: The Jammu and Kashmir Finance Department has begun the exercise for preparing the 2027-28 Budget Estimates and Revised Estimates for 2026-27, setting October deadlines for departments and field offices to submit their proposals.
In an order issued on September 24, Financial Commissioner (Additional Chief Secretary) Shailendra Kumar directed all Administrative Departments, Heads of Departments, Budget Controlling Officers and Drawing and Disbursing Officers to begin the exercise.
Budget preparation at the DDO level must be completed by October 20, while HOD-level preparation has to be completed by October 25. Administrative Departments have been asked to scrutinise the estimates and forward consolidated recommendations to the Finance Department by October 31.
The Finance Department said budget forms for both revenue and capital expenditure will be made available online through the Budget Estimation, Allocation and Management System (BEAMS). Except for specified forms and project-wise statements, hard copies will not be accepted by the department.
The instructions require departments to prepare estimates using standardised detailed heads and reconcile previous-year expenditure figures with the records of the Accountant General (A&E), J&K. The department said variations between departmental expenditure figures and those reflected in the Annual Finance Accounts had been noticed and required greater scrutiny.
For salaries, the revised estimates for 2026-27 and budget estimates for 2027-28 are to be prepared against sanctioned and filled posts, while provisions for vacant posts are to be shown separately. Salary data is to be linked with the J&K Pay System and the Centralised Personnel Information System to ensure employee-wise accuracy.
Departments have also been directed not to anticipate or budget for the creation of new posts in the revised estimates for 2026-27 or the budget estimates for 2027-28.
For the capital budget, departments have been asked to prepare projections on an output-and-outcome basis and distinguish between ongoing and new works. Capital proposals are to include construction, upgradation and maintenance, building, procurement, gender-specific and child welfare plans.
The Finance Department has further directed that capital expenditure proposals include project-wise details, actual expenditure for the previous financial year and expenditure incurred during the current year. New works are to be listed separately and prepared in consultation with the respective elected representatives and MLAs.
District-sector budget proposals for ongoing and new works are also to be prepared through BEAMS and in consultation with elected representatives.
Departments and District Development Commissioners have additionally been asked to align budget proposals with relevant Sustainable Development Goals, including time-bound action plans, measurable indicators and district-level assessments of implementation gaps and funding requirements.
The instructions also cover centrally sponsored schemes, surrender of savings, leave encashment, National Pension System contributions and wages. Departments have been directed to provide details of daily wagers and casual workers and ensure that financial projections comply with the prescribed budget classifications.
The Finance Department said the Project Management Unit would facilitate data entry on BEAMS and provide technical assistance through district-level resource persons and other designated teams.
