Jammu Districts Receive Higher Capital Funds Than Kashmir in 2026-27 Budget

Official figures presented in the Jammu and Kashmir Assembly show that the 10 districts of the Jammu division received a higher share of capital expenditure than the 10 districts of Kashmir for the 2026-27 financial year. Out of a total capital expenditure allocation of 9,566.30 crore rupees in the Union Territory, the Jammu division was allocated 5,102.25 crore rupees, while the Kashmir division received 4,464.05 crore rupees. The Omar Abdullah government figures also show that 5,837.91 crore rupees of this total has been released so far, with 3,292.93 crore rupees going to Jammu and 2,544.98 crore rupees to Kashmir.

District Allocations

Jammu and Srinagar districts secured the highest allocations within their respective provinces. Jammu district received 2,314.35 crore rupees, which is nearly double the 1,486.88 crore rupees allocated to Srinagar. Jammu district alone accounts for nearly half of the total projected capital expenditure allocation for its entire division. Within the Jammu division, Rajouri received the second-highest amount at 419.14 crore rupees, followed by Poonch with 400.08 crore rupees and Kathua with 377.78 crore rupees. In the Kashmir division, Anantnag holds the highest allocation at 697.05 crore rupees, followed by Baramulla at 468.93 crore rupees and Pulwama at 448.30 crore rupees, while Shopian has the lowest allocation in the Valley at 151.84 crore rupees.

Political Reactions

The funding data challenges long-standing claims by the BJP regarding the financial discrimination of the Jammu province. Of the 11 Assembly constituencies in Jammu district, 10 are represented by BJP MLAs, and one is held by Independent MLA Satish Sharma, who serves as a minister in the Abdullah government. In Srinagar, seven of the eight constituencies are held by National Conference MLAs and one by the Congress. Chief Minister Omar Abdullah represents one of the two constituencies in Ganderbal, which received 247.18 crore rupees. BJP spokesperson Ankur Sharma stated that the party lacked district-wise details and suggested that higher allocations in Jammu might be due to hydel power projects. BJP Udhampur East MLA R S Pathania argued that funds should rely on development needs and larger geographical requirements rather than a regional comparison. Meanwhile, National Conference provincial president Rattan Lal Gupta accused the BJP of misleading the public, stating that the figures prove the government does not discriminate based on region.

Context

Capital expenditure funds in Jammu and Kashmir are distributed across various government departments to build infrastructure like power grids, roads, and public buildings. Debates over regional budget distribution are common in the Union Territory given its diverse topography and political dynamics. The allocation patterns across districts often reflect both population needs and ongoing sectoral projects.