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Omar Abdullah Announces New Assembly, Salary Hike, Final Amnesty & Heritage Push For J&K

Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah made several significant announcements on Thursday during the ongoing Budget Session of 2025, focusing on infrastructure, financial matters, and the preservation of cultural heritage.

His proposals and statements reflect his government’s priorities, including plans for a new Assembly building, salary revisions for legislators, and efforts to protect agricultural land.

Plans For A New Assembly Building

In his address, Abdullah revealed plans for the construction of a new Assembly building, alongside the development of courts equipped for virtual hearings. These initiatives are aimed at modernizing the infrastructure of Jammu and Kashmir’s governance and judiciary to better meet the needs of its people in the digital age.

Revision Of MLA Salaries, Constituency Development

One of the key issues raised by Abdullah was the revision of salaries for Members of the Legislative Assembly (MLAs), which have remained unchanged since 2015. He proposed the formation of a committee that would include the Leader of Opposition (LOP), as well as members from Congress and the PDP, to ensure that salary revisions align with parliamentary norms every five years.

He remarked, “Officers now have salaries of Rs 3 lakh, while we are stuck in 2015. It’s not right.” Additionally, Abdullah called for updates to the guidelines governing the Constituency Development Fund (CDF) under the Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADs).

The Chief Minister also addressed the issue of the power amnesty scheme, announcing that it would be discontinued after this year. He stated, “Giving amnesty, again and again, is not good,” using a personal example to illustrate the issue. “I, Omar Abdullah, and LOP Sunil Sharma are neighbours. Sunil ji pays his power bill on time, I don’t. When amnesty comes, my bill is waived, and Sunil ji says, ‘What is happening? Why am I paying?'” Abdullah emphasized that this would be the last time the government would offer such amnesty.

Land Preservation & Agricultural Concerns

Abdullah raised concerns about the growing pressure on land due to the increasing population. He warned, “Our future is tied with our land; if we don’t have land, we will be nothing.” He highlighted the alarming trend of agricultural land being converted for non-agricultural purposes, which threatens the region’s self-sufficiency and leads to greater dependence on external resources.

Reviving Roshni Scheme

Defending the Roshni scheme, Abdullah proposed its revival, noting that it aimed to provide land rights to leaseholders. He referred to statements by Muzaffar Khan MLA, who had supported the scheme, and mentioned that former Union Minister Ghulam Nabi Azad had altered its timeline. Abdullah pledged to bring the scheme back to support the land rights of the people.

The Chief Minister also announced a significant allocation of Rs 65 crore for the restoration of 33 heritage sites. This initiative is part of a broader effort to preserve the cultural heritage of Jammu and Kashmir. Abdullah further addressed concerns regarding the Mubarak Mandi project, which has faced delays, and vowed to expedite its completion within the next three years.

Reclaiming Kashmir House & State Guest Infrastructure

In a bid to strengthen Jammu and Kashmir’s identity, Abdullah called for the return of the original Kashmir House at Rajaji Marg in New Delhi, which is currently under the control of the Indian Army. He appealed for assistance in vacating the building to establish a new Kashmir House.

Additionally, Abdullah highlighted plans to establish state guest facilities in major cities, including Chandigarh and Delhi, to improve hospitality infrastructure for the state.

Review Of Planning Department’s Role

Abdullah also expressed concerns about the reduced role of the planning department, stating, “The planning department has no such responsibility as earlier. We have to review this.” This comment underscores the need for a reevaluation of the department’s responsibilities and functions in light of evolving governance needs.

These announcements signal a focus on modernizing governance, protecting local heritage, and addressing key infrastructure and financial challenges facing Jammu and Kashmir in the coming years.