J&K’s Budget Shock: Central Grants Slashed by ₹1277 Cr, Police Funds Down by ₹464 Cr.
||Black and White Digital News||
||Tejveer Singh February 03,2025 ||
Jammu : The Union Finance Ministry has delivered a financial jolt to Jammu and Kashmir by slashing its Central grants by ₹1277 crore for the fiscal year 2025-26. Adding to the concern, the police budget of the Union Territory has also taken a hit, witnessing a ₹464 crore cut. The reductions were revealed today as Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented the annual Union Budget in Parliament.
Jammu and Kashmir, which was allocated ₹41,604 crore in Central assistance for 2023-24, saw a slight increase to ₹42,277.74 crore in 2024-25. However, the revised estimates for 2024-25 reduced the amount to ₹41,000.07 crore—matching the allocation for 2025-26. When compared to last year’s budgetary estimates, the current reduction amounts to ₹1277 crore, though it remains unchanged from the revised figures of 2024-25.
Police Budget Slashed Amid Security Concerns:
The budgetary cut for the Jammu and Kashmir Police (JKP) has raised eyebrows, given the force’s crucial role in counterterrorism operations and law enforcement. The JKP, which was allocated ₹9,789.42 crore in 2024-25—including ₹9,046.17 crore for revenue and ₹743.25 crore for capital expenditure—will now receive ₹9,325.73 crore for 2025-26. This includes ₹8,897.72 crore for revenue and ₹428.01 crore for capital expenses, marking a significant ₹464 crore reduction.
However, considering the revised estimates of 2024-25, where the JKP budget was already trimmed to ₹8,665.94 crore, the allocation for 2025-26 represents an increase. Despite this, the cut from initial projections has raised concerns about its potential impact on policing in a region grappling with militancy and border security threats.
The Jammu and Kashmir Police, which operates alongside the Army and paramilitary forces, is at the forefront of counterinsurgency efforts in the UT. The budget reduction comes despite growing demands for enhanced resources and modern equipment to tackle emerging security challenges.
Industrial Development and Disaster Response Fund Allocations:
On the economic front, Jammu and Kashmir has been allocated ₹300 crore for industrial development, a sum identical to last year’s budgetary estimate but ₹125 crore higher than the revised figure of ₹175 crore. The “New Central Sector Scheme for Industrial Development of J&K,” effective until March 31, 2037, has seen overwhelming participation, leading Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha to seek an increase beyond the ₹28,400 crore allocated for incentives. The Centre is expected to review this demand separately.
Additionally, the UT has been granted ₹279 crore towards its Disaster Response Fund and ₹101.77 crore for infrastructure resource gap funding. However, in a setback for power generation projects, no grants have been allocated for the 624 MW Kiru and 800 MW Ratle hydroelectric projects, continuing the trend from 2024-25. The 540 MW Kwar project has also been left without an equity contribution, unlike last year’s ₹171.23 crore allocation.
Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry Sees Budgetary Decline:
The Jammu and Kashmir Light Infantry (JAKLI), a distinguished regiment of the Indian Army, has also witnessed a budgetary cut. For 2025-26, it has been allocated ₹56.11 crore, down from ₹70.60 crore in 2024-25. Revised estimates last year had already lowered its budget to ₹54.55 crore. JAKLI, which evolved from the J&K Militia in 1977, remains a key military component in the region, operating 15 battalions and a regimental center.
Heavy Allocations for National Security Forces:
The Union Budget has allocated a whopping ₹2,33,210.68 crore to the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), with a significant chunk—₹1,60,391.06 crore—dedicated to Central Police Forces like the CRPF, BSF, and CISF.
Among the major allocations:
CRPF: ₹35,147.17 crore (up from ₹34,328.61 crore)
BSF: ₹28,231.27 crore (up from ₹27,895.73 crore)
CISF: ₹16,084.83 crore (up from ₹15,272.22 crore)
ITBP: ₹10,370 crore (up from ₹9,861.14 crore)
SSB: ₹10,237.28 crore (up from ₹9,834.59 crore)
Assam Rifles: ₹8,274.29 crore (up from ₹7,855.23 crore)
These forces are responsible for securing India’s borders, internal security, and counterterrorism operations, including their crucial role in Jammu and Kashmir.
Other Notable Allocations:
Intelligence Bureau (IB): ₹3,893.35 crore (down from ₹3,966.21 crore)
Delhi Police: ₹11,931.66 crore (up from ₹11,467.62 crore)
Special Protection Group (SPG): ₹489 crore (down from ₹510.97 crore)
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF): ₹1,922.59 crore (up from ₹1,838.38 crore)
Modernisation of Police Forces: ₹4,069.24 crore (up from ₹2,623.74 crore)
Border Infrastructure and Management: ₹5,597.25 crore
Women’s Safety Schemes: ₹960.12 crore
Security-Related Expenditure: ₹4,876.34 crore
Vibrant Villages Programme: ₹1,056.40 crore
Political Reactions: Sajad Lone’s Dig at Omar Abdullah:
Reacting to the budget allocations for Jammu & Kashmir, Peoples Conference President Sajad Gani Lone took a swipe at former Chief Minister Omar Abdullah. In a scathing remark, Lone said, “It is time for him to seek the return of shawls gifted by him to Union Ministers and revise his cloudless weather commentary made at Sonamarg in Ganderbal district.” The comment, loaded with sarcasm, was aimed at Omar’s previous optimism about the Centre’s stance on Jammu and Kashmir.
The Road Ahead for Jammu and Kashmir:
The budgetary allocations and cuts have sparked debate over the Centre’s approach towards Jammu and Kashmir. While key infrastructure and industrial development funds remain steady, the cuts in police funding and grants have raised concerns. Security remains a top priority for the region, but the reduction in the JKP’s budget could impact operational capabilities.
With the Jammu and Kashmir administration relying heavily on Central support for development and security, the next fiscal year will be crucial in determining how these allocations impact governance, industry, and law enforcement in the Union Territory.
