Jammu, Mar 7 (NVI) Presenting its first Budget, the Omar Abdullah-led government in Jammu and Kashmir today announced a number of sops promised by his party National Conference in the elections, including free electricity up to 200 units to AAY and an assistance to 40,000 women under ‘Lakhpati Didi’ scheme.
Abdullah, who holds the Finance portfolio, also announced while presenting the Budget that from women can travel for free in all kinds of government-run transport, including e-buses, from April 1, this year.
Under the ‘Lakhpati Didi’ Scheme, which has been copied from Madhya Pradesh, the Jammu and Kashmir Government will provide assistance to 40,000 women.
Under Marriage Assistance Scheme, a beneficiary can now receive Rs 75,000/- instead of Rs 50,000/-.
The families falling in the category of Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) will get free 200 units of electricity, the Chief Minister announced.
In the field of Sports, he also announced specialised training for coaches to enhance their capabilities.
For this, he allocated a capital expenditure allocation of Rs 152.69 crore for 2025-26, an increase of Rs 36.91 crore from the revised allocation of 2024-25.
To nurture talent, the government will continue its efforts to train youth at Khelo India Centres, with an emphasis on increasing women’s participation, he said.
“Jammu and Kashmir is poised to become a leading sports hub with ongoing investments in infrastructure and facilities. The establishment of 100 Khelo India Centres, development of sports complexes, and synthetic turfs in key stadia set the foundation for a vibrant sports ecosystem,” Abdullah said.
“Additionally, J&K will enhance its standing as the winter sports capital by hosting more winter games in Gulmarg and promoting water sports through dedicated academies. With continued focus on infrastructure and athlete development, Jammu and Kashmir is set to shape a thriving sports ecosystem for future generations,” the Chief Minister said.
“Our Government will be establishing National Centres of Excellence for Water Sports at Dal Lake in Srinagar and Basohli in Jammu, providing state-of-the-art training facilities for water sports enthusiasts,” he said.
“A Gymnastics Academy will be set up at GindunRajbagh and Khel Gaon, Nagrota, ensuring specialized coaching for budding gymnasts. To nurture young cricketing talent, four state-of-the-art Cricket Academies will be established with a budgetary allocation of Rs 8 crore.
“Additionally, two new Youth Hostels—one each in Jammu and Kashmir divisions—will be constructed with a provision of Rs 10 crore,” he said.
Abdullah also announced that High-Performance Training Centers will be developed in all districts in a phased manner to enhance athlete training and performance at the grassroots level.
To promote mass participation, “we aim to engage 75 lakh youth in sports activities across Jammu and Kashmir, fostering a culture of fitness and excellence”, Abdullah said.
“To further promote sports and tourism, we will host important national and international sporting events in Jammu and Kashmir. Football exchange programs will be conducted to provide local players with exposure to global best practices.
“Special focus will be given to empowering coaches through capacity-building initiatives such as the Football Development Program and World Coach Programs,” he added.
‘In our endeavor to make quality sports infrastructure accessible, we are developing 247 playfields, stadiums, and sports courts across the region, along with the construction and upgradation of 19 sports buildings,” he said.
“To equip our stadiums with modern amenities, we are also procuring advanced sports equipment and generators,” the Chief Minister said.
“To further support our sportspersons, we will ensure that travel costs, accommodation, and training opportunities are addressed, enabling athletes to compete at national and international levels without financial constraints,” he said.
The coaches will receive specialized training to enhance their capabilities, and financial support for athletes will be increased to ensure equal opportunities for all.
“Our vision is to make sports an integral part of community development, ensuring participation from all sections of society. Two new swimming pools will be commissioned in both capital cities, further expanding training facilities. Additionally, dedicated sports facilities will be created for migrant populations to ensure inclusivity.
“Special emphasis will be placed on involving the rural and tribal population in games, fostering a culture of sports at the grassroots level,” he said. (NVI)
