SRINAGAR: People’s Conference chief and Handwara MLA Sajad Lone on Friday criticised the Jammu and Kashmir government’s budget, saying it lacked political guidance and was largely prepared by bureaucrats with minimal change from the previous year.
Speaking to reporters, Lone said, “The budget is as good or as bad as it was last time. I would say it is as bad as it was last time.” He added that the document reflected bureaucratic control rather than political decision-making, stating, “This is a budget by the bureaucrats. There is no political input in it.”
Lone also accused the government of repeatedly acknowledging the Centre without presenting an independent policy framework, saying, “They are repeatedly thanking the Centre — repeatedly.”
Questioning claims of fiscal constraints, he said the budget did not show any limitations, including in tax collection. He also criticised the reduction of the government’s earlier promise of 12 free LPG cylinders per year to all poor families, noting, “Now it has been confined to Antyodaya Anna Yojana beneficiaries. This is a climbdown,” and expressed doubt over whether even the revised benefit would be delivered.
