SRINAGAR: Sheikh Khurshid, MLA from Langate, on Monday expressed high expectations from the forthcoming Jammu and Kashmir annual budget for 2026-27, set to be presented by the National Conference government in the Assembly on 6 February.
Speaking to Kashmir Life, Khurshid said both he and the people of Jammu and Kashmir hoped the budget would address the regularisation and wage enhancement of daily wagers and contractual employees, along with longstanding promises such as 200 free electricity units, free ration, and free gas cylinders. “During previous sessions, these issues were discussed, but no steps were taken towards these policies,” he added.
Khurshid also criticised Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s recent address to the Assembly, describing it as “disappointing”. He noted that although promises regarding statehood were made in the previous year’s address, “Jammu and Kashmir still stands where it was one year ago.”
The Langate legislator further expressed concern over the ongoing detention of MLA Doda Mehraj Malik under the Public Safety Act (PSA). “The LG has no moral authority to speak about strengthening democratic institutions while a member of this honourable house continues to languish in jail under a ‘black law’ like the PSA. It is the responsibility of this house, the Chief Minister, and the custodians of this Assembly to address this. It is not just Mehraj Malik in jail, the whole Assembly is in jail until he is freed,” Khurshid said.
