Jammu: The schedule for the much-awaited Budget Session 2026-27 of the Jammu and Kashmir Legislative Assembly has been officially released. In a significant break from tradition, the session will be held in two phases to accommodate the holy month of Ramadan.
Speaker Abdul Rahim Rather issued the provisional calendar today, confirming that the session will commence on February 2, 2026, with the Lieutenant Governor’s address. All eyes are on February 6, when Chief Minister Omar Abdullah (who also holds the Finance portfolio) will present his second budget for the Union Territory.
January 16, 2026 marks the start of political preparations as the National Conference-led government gears up to outline its fiscal roadmap for the next year.
The Key Dates: Feb 2 to April 4
The session is spread over a three-month period but will have effective sittings focused on specific businesses.
- Feb 2 (Monday): Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha’s Address to the House.
- Feb 3-5: Discussion on Motion of Thanks to LG’s Address.
- Feb 5: CM Omar Abdullah’s Reply to the Motion of Thanks.
- Feb 6 (Friday): Presentation of Annual Budget 2026-27 by Finance Minister (CM).
- Feb 7-10: General Discussion on the Budget.
- Feb 11-19: Discussion on Demands for Grants (Individual Departments).
The “Ramadan Recess” Explained
For the first time, the Assembly schedule has been designed with religious sensitivities in mind. Since the holy month of Ramadan is expected to begin around February 18/19, the session will take a massive 35-day recess.
- Recess Start: February 20, 2026.
- Recess End: March 26, 2026.
- Resumption: The House will meet again on March 27 after Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations to pass the Appropriation Bills.
- Conclusion: The session will formally conclude on April 4, 2026.
What to Expect: Jobs, Regularization & Power
This budget is critical for the “Naya Kashmir” narrative. Sources suggest the government will focus on:
- Employment: Allocation of funds for the recently announced recruitment drives (Police, JKSSB).
- Power Sector: Major grants expected to address the winter power crisis in Kashmir and smart meter installation issues in Jammu.
- Regularization: Thousands of daily wagers are eyeing this budget for a potential “Regularization Policy” roadmap.
Key Highlights
- Start Date: Feb 2 (LG Address).
- Budget Day: Feb 6 (CM Omar Abdullah).
- Recess: Feb 20 to March 26 (For Ramadan/Eid).
FAQ Section
A1: Chief Minister Omar Abdullah will present the budget, as he currently holds the charge of the Finance Ministry.
A2: A 35-day recess (Feb 20 – Mar 26) has been scheduled to accommodate the holy month of Ramadan and the subsequent Eid-ul-Fitr festival.
A3: Yes, the budget is expected to allocate specific funds for new posts in the Police and Education departments, following recent cabinet decisions.
Stay tuned to KittoNews for live coverage of the LG’s Address on Feb 2.
