The general budget was expected to bridge the political gap between the BJP and the PDP in Jammu and Kashmir. But Finance Minister Arun Jaitley ended his budget speech without mentioning the state, upsetting hopes of an early revival of the PDP-BJP alliance and delaying government formation even more, sources say.
Jammu and Kashmir has been under governor’s rule since Mufti Muhammad Sayeed, who headed the PDP-BJP alliance government, died in January. His daughter and PDP chief Mehbooba Mufti has said in the past that she wants the Centre to spell out confidence building measures or CBMs for the state before the alliance can move forward.
Just two days before the budget, Ms Mufti said the Centre should do more to reach out the people of Jammu and Kashmir.
“I am saying if we want to form the government, it should benefit the people of the state. Even if I become the chief minister…but if we are not able benefit the people and the place, what purpose does it serve?” Ms Mufti had said while addressing a party membership drive in Anantnag.
The PDP was hoping for financial sops specific to Jammu and Kashmir, over and above the ones already contained in Centre’s allocations, to open a window for government formation, sources say.
The BJP says the budget is meant for the entire country and not just for Jammu and Kashmir. “This budget is a dream, desire and a vision to transform India into one of the most rich and vibrant economies of the world,” Arun Gupta, Spokesperson for the BJP’s state unit.
The business community here is not impressed either. After the September 2014 floods, it has been demanding an income tax holiday for five years but that hasn’t happened.
The state’s list of unmet expectations is growing longer: The National Hydro Power Corporation projects have not been handed over to the state, there is no employment drive and no mention of Srinagar in the list of smart cities either.
“The whole business community and the traders are disappointed. I feel we have not been addressed,” said Sheikh Ashiq, a trade leader in Srinagar.
