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‘Welcome this good Budget, don’t play politics over it’, Rijiju tells opposition

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‘Welcome this good Budget, don’t play politics over it’, Rijiju tells opposition

New Delhi, Feb 01: Union Parliamentary Affairs Minister Kiren Rijiju on Sunday said the Union Budget is focused on growth and development, and slammed the opposition parties for “playing politics” over it.

The opposition parties on Thursday criticised the Union Budget presented in Parliament by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman, with the Congress calling it “totally lacklustre” and alleging that it fell woefully short of the hype generated around it.

The Samajwadi Party said the Budget failed to meet people’s expectations, as there was “nothing much” in it.

Asked about the opposition parties’ claim that the Budget had nothing for the common people, Rijiju told reporters, “All the provisions have been made for the common people only. If those in the opposition do not consider themselves common people, what can we do?”

Asserting that the Budget for 2026-27 is focused on growth and development, the minister said, “The country is happy. I believe there is no scope to criticise this Budget. Still, if someone criticises it, it must be politically motivated.”

“I want to urge my friends in the opposition to welcome this good Budget. Don’t play politics over it,” he added.

After the Budget was presented in Parliament, Congress general secretary (communications) Jairam Ramesh said it was “totally lacklustre” and fell “woefully” short of the hype generated around it.

He also said that Sitharaman’s Budget speech was “non-transparent” as it “gave no idea” of the budgetary allocations for key programmes and schemes.

“While the documents need to be studied in detail, it is clear after 90 minutes that Budget 2026/27 falls woefully short of the hype that was generated about it. It was totally lacklustre,” Ramesh said in a post on X.

Samajwadi MP Dimple Yadav claimed the Budget failed to meet people’s expectations.

“There’s nothing much in the Budget… Nothing for women and youth. We wanted the government to raise the budget for education, healthcare, agriculture… However, this Budget has nothing for these sectors,” she told reporters in the Parliament House complex.

Greater Kashmir

Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha hails the Budget 2026-27

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Lieutenant Governor Manoj Sinha hails the Budget 2026-27

Jammu, Feb 01: Lieutenant Governor, Shri Manoj Sinha today hailed the Budget 2026-27 as pragmatic which he said will prioritize economic acceleration, create future-ready infrastructure, sustain growth momentum, chart path to $5 trillion economy milestone within few years and comprehensive fiscal strategy will balance growth ambition with social welfare.

Expressing gratitude to the Hon’ble Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi and Hon’ble Union Finance Minister Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman on development of ecologically sustainable mountain trails in J&K UT, the Lieutenant Governor said that the initiative will generate fresh employment opportunities and invigorate our tourism industry with renewed vigor.

“Budget for 2026-27 emphasizes accelerating economic expansion, strengthening infrastructure, advancing manufacturing capabilities across 7 strategic sectors, while maintaining a steadfast commitment to welfare. It will have a transformative impact in burgeoning industries, renewed momentum for semiconductor advancement through India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) 2.0, and a substantial stride toward diminishing India’s reliance on other countries for rare earth elements with specialized rare earth zones,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

The Lieutenant Governor observed that with Artificial Intelligence, job creation and service sector enhancement taking center stage, India’s competitive edge will strengthen across every economic domain, while this progressive financial blueprint will establish the foundation for comprehensive sectoral expansion and global prominence.

“Budget 2026-27 charts the path to a $5 trillion economy milestone within a few years and presents our ambitious vision to achieve developed economy status in less than 2 decades. The budget also promises unprecedented empowerment for youth, women, and farmers. With manufacturing, infrastructure, MSMEs, healthcare, urban advancement, electronics and supply networks forming the core of the future strategy to maintain the country’s economic momentum, I believe we will be able to expand domestic production and ensure substantial employment generation,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

Greater Kashmir

J-K LG hails Budget 2026-27

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J-K LG hails Budget 2026-27

Jammu, Feb 01: Lieutenant Governor, Jammu and Kashmir, Manoj Sinha today hailed the Budget 2026-27 as pragmatic which he said will prioritize economic acceleration, create future-ready infrastructure, sustain growth momentum, chart path to $5 trillion economy milestone within few years and comprehensive fiscal strategy will balance growth ambition with social welfare.

Expressing gratitude to the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Finance Minister. Nirmala Sitharaman on development of ecologically sustainable mountain trails in J&K UT, the Lieutenant Governor said that the initiative will generate fresh employment opportunities and invigorate our tourism industry with renewed vigor.

“Budget for 2026-27 emphasizes accelerating economic expansion, strengthening infrastructure, advancing manufacturing capabilities across 7 strategic sectors, while maintaining a steadfast commitment to welfare. It will have a transformative impact in burgeoning industries, renewed momentum for semiconductor advancement through India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) 2.0, and a substantial stride toward diminishing India’s reliance on other countries for rare earth elements with specialized rare earth zones,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

The Lieutenant Governor observed that with Artificial Intelligence, job creation and service sector enhancement taking center stage, India’s competitive edge will strengthen across every economic domain, while this progressive financial blueprint will establish the foundation for comprehensive sectoral expansion and global prominence.

“Budget 2026-27 charts the path to a $5 trillion economy milestone within a few years and presents our ambitious vision to achieve developed economy status in less than 2 decades. The budget also promises unprecedented empowerment for youth, women, and farmers. With manufacturing, infrastructure, MSMEs, healthcare, urban advancement, electronics and supply networks forming the core of the future strategy to maintain the country’s economic momentum, I believe we will be able to expand domestic production and ensure substantial employment generation,” the Lieutenant Governor said.

Greater Kashmir

Health Ministry gets 10 per cent rise in allocation, 5 regional medical hubs; training AHPs, caregivers in focus

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Health Ministry gets 10 per cent rise in allocation, 5 regional medical hubs; training AHPs, caregivers in focus

New Delhi, Feb 01: The Union Health Ministry has been allocated Rs 1,06,530.42 crore in the Budget 2026-27, a 10 per cent hike over 2025-26, with the government proposing a scheme to support states in establishing five regional medical hubs in partnership with the private sector to promote India as a prime medical tourism destination.

These hubs will serve as integrated healthcare complexes that combine medical, educational and research facilities, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said while presenting the Union Budget for 2026-27 on Sunday.

The minister said that existing institutions for Allied Healthcare Professionals (AHPs) will be upgraded and new AHP institutions established in private and government sectors.

“This will cover 10 selected disciplines, including Optometry, Radiology, Anaesthesia, OT technology, Applied Psychology and Behavioural Health, and add 100,000 AHPs over the next five years,” she said.

Sitharaman said that a strong care ecosystem, covering geriatric and allied care services, will be built and, in the coming year, 1.5 lakh caregivers will be trained in allied skills, such as wellness, yoga and operation of medical and assistive devices.

Of the Rs 1,06,530.42 crore allocated for the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Rs 101,709.21 crore has been earmarked for the Department of Health and Family Welfare and Rs 4,821.21 crore for the Department of Health Research.

For the first time, the Union Health Ministry has allocated Rs 1,000 crore for the Scheme for Allied Health Care Professionals (AHPs).

Among the centrally sponsored schemes, the allocation for the National Health Mission has been increased from Rs 37100.07 crore in 2025-36 to Rs 39,390 crore in 2026-27. Moreover, the allocation for Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojna (AB PM-JAY) has been hiked from 8,995 crore to Rs 9,500 crore, marking a rise of 5.6 per cent.

For the National Tele Mental Health Programme, the budgetary allocation has been increased marginally from Rs 45 crore to Rs 51 crore while the National Digital Health Mission has been earmarked Rs 350 crore from Rs 324.26 crore in the 2026-27 fiscal.

The budgetary allocation for autonomous bodies increased from Rs 21,901.98 crore in 2024-25 to Rs 22,343.97 crore in 2026-27.

The allocation for AIIMS, New Delhi, has been increased from Rs 5,238.70 crore to Rs 5500.92 crore, while the ICMR has been earmarked Rs 4821.21 crore, recording around a 10 per cent increase.

Greater Kashmir

J&K gets Rs 43,290 Cr Grant-in-Aid in Union Budget 2026–27

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J&K gets Rs 43,290 Cr Grant-in-Aid in Union Budget 2026–27

Srinagar, Feb 01: Jammu and Kashmir has been allocated ₹43,290.29 crore as grant-in-aid in the  Union Budget for 2026–27 under the Revenue Section, marking an increase over the revised estimates of the current financial year, according to budget documents tabled in Parliament.

The allocation has been made under Demand No. 58 — Transfers to Jammu and Kashmir — and will be accounted for under Major Head 3602, which covers grants-in-aid to Union Territory governments on behalf of the Ministry of Home Affairs.

Budget data shows that actual expenditure on Jammu and Kashmir during 2024–25 stood at ₹46,000.06 crore. However, allocations witnessed a sharp decline in the Budget Estimates for 2025–26, which were pegged at ₹41,000.07 crore. During the course of the year, this amount was marginally enhanced to ₹41,340.22 crore at the Revised Estimates stage.

For 2026–27, the proposed grant of ₹43,290.29 crore reflects an increase of nearly ₹1,950 crore over the revised estimates of 2025–26. Despite this upward revision, the allocation remains below the actual expenditure level of 2024–25, indicating that the Centre has not fully restored earlier funding levels for the Union Territory.

The entire provision has been made under the Revenue Section, with no capital outlay component, underscoring Jammu and Kashmir’s continued dependence on central revenue transfers to meet routine administrative and developmental expenditure.

Greater Kashmir

Centre announces sustainable mountain trails for J&K, other states

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Centre announces sustainable mountain trails for J&K, other states

New Delhi, Feb 01: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday announced the development of ecologically sustainable mountain trails in Jammu and Kashmir as part of the Union Budget 2026-27.

Presenting the Budget in Parliament, Sitharaman said that Jammu and Kashmir will be development for ecologically sustainable mountain trails.

Similar initiatives will also be taken up in the Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Araku Valley in the Eastern Ghats and the Western Ghats to promote eco-friendly tourism while preserving fragile ecosystems.

She further announced that turtle trails along key nesting sites in Odisha, Karnataka and Kerala will also be developed to support conservation efforts and sustainable tourism. (KNC)

Greater Kashmir

Operation to track down 3 terrorists underway following encounter in Kishtwar

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Operation to track down 3 terrorists underway following encounter in Kishtwar

Jammu, Feb 01: Security forces on Sunday resumed their cordon and search operation in the snowbound area of Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district to trace and neutralise three Jaish-e-Mohammad terrorists believed to be hiding in the area following a brief gunbattle.

Security has been heightened in adjoining areas, with Village Defence Guards (VDGs) put in operational mode for a high degree of vigilance against any terrorist movement in the district.

“The search operation has been resumed this morning after a night-long cordon. The operation to track down holed-up terrorists is underway,” a senior official said. They said that terrorists are continuously changing their hideouts and are on the run.

“Efforts are being made to hunt them down,” he said.

Security agencies are also keeping a close watch on those helping terrorists with food and shelter.

The operation has been continuing for the past several days.

The gunfight began when army troops re-established contact with the terrorists in the Dolgam area of Kishtwar district early Saturday, officials said.

One terrorist is believed to have been injured, reports indicate, adding that drone surveillance purportedly showed bloodstains.

This marks the fourth time in the past two weeks that contact has been established with terrorists in the area.

Backed by aerial surveillance through drones and the use of helicopters to keep a close watch in the snowbound high-altitude area of the Chatroo-Dolgam-Dichhar belt, the joint operation party consisting of Special Forces, Rashtriya Rifles units, Special Operations Group and CRPF has also inducted sniffer dogs into the operation since Saturday.

In view of the operation, mobile internet services have been temporarily suspended since Friday within a six-km radius covering Singhpora, Chingam, and Chatroo.

Kishtwar has seen six encounters in the past seven months as forces continue their crackdown on Pakistan-based terrorists operating in the region, which shares borders with Doda and Udhampur districts.

According to reports, the joint operation team sighted three JeM terrorists in the snowbound high-altitude area of Dolgam, resulting in an exchange of fire pre-dawn time on Saturday.

Earlier, the operation in the area was launched on January 18, leading to a fierce gunbattle in the Sonnar forest near Mandral-Singhpora, resulting in the killing of a paratrooper and injuries to seven soldiers.

Although the terrorists managed to escape, benefiting from thick vegetation and challenging terrain, security forces continued their pursuit despite more than two feet of snowfall.

Two more encounters between the army and the terrorists occurred at Mali Dana took place on January 22 and Janseer-Kandiwar on January 25, but the terrorists once again slipped deep into the forested area.

Northern Army Commander Lt Gen Pratik Sharma on Saturday visited Kishtwar district to review the counter-terrorism grid and commended the troops for their unwavering resolve in the ongoing efforts.

The visit of the Army Commander to the mountainous district comes after a high-level security review of the evolving security dynamics in the Jammu region, with a focus on strengthening the counter-terrorism grid on Thursday, officials said.

Greater Kashmir

SED mulls further mergers, seeks details of zero-distance schools

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SED mulls further mergers, seeks details of zero-distance schools

Srinagar, Feb 01: In a latest development, the School Education Department (SED) is mulling further mergers as it has sought details of schools located at zero distance from each other.

The move follows observations that several schools, ranging from primary to higher secondary level, are located at zero distance and are offering the same classes.

In this regard, the Joint Director, SED (North Kashmir), has sought details of all such schools.
“You are intimated to compile detailed information about schools that are located at zero distance from each other and are conducting the same classes,” reads an official communication addressed to all Zonal Education Officers (ZEOs) of north Kashmir districts.

As per the communication issued by the Joint Director, SED North Kashmir, the ZEOs have been asked to submit details including the name and UDISE code of the schools, the exact distance between them, and the classes being taught.

The ZEOs have also been directed to provide information on total enrolment and staff positions of the schools concerned.

An official said the department has initiated the exercise to ensure optimum utilisation of the available human resources in these schools.

Greater Kashmir

FM proposes 5 medical tourism hubs

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Health Ministry gets 10 per cent rise in allocation, 5 regional medical hubs; training AHPs, caregivers in focus

New Delhi, Feb 01: Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on Sunday proposed to set up five hubs for medical tourism and a Rs 10,000-crore outlay for Biopharma Shakti programme over the next five years.

Presenting the Union Budget, she said, “I propose to launch a scheme to support states in establishing five regional medical hubs.”

She said these hubs will serve as integrated healthcare complexes that combine medical, educational and research facilities.

She said, “I propose the Biopharma Shakti with an outlay of Rs 10,000 crore over the next five years, this will build the ecosystem for domestic production of biologics and biosimilars.”

The strategy will include a biopharma-focused network with three new National Institutes of Pharmaceutical Education and Research, popularly known as NIPERS, and upgrading seven existing ones, she added.

“It will also create a network of 1,000 accredited India clinical trials sites. We propose to strengthen the central drug standard control organisation to meet global standards and approve timeframes, through an approval time frames through a dedicated scientific review cadre, and specialists,” said said.

She also proposed setting up three new All India Institute of Ayurveda.

Greater Kashmir

PM Modi, FM Nirmala Sitharaman arrive at Parliament

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PM Modi, FM Nirmala Sitharaman arrive at Parliament

Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman rises to present Budget for 2026-27 in Lok Sabha.

February 1, 2026 10:59 am

Stock markets gain momentum ahead of Budget presentation

February 1, 2026 10:45 am

Stock market benchmark indices Sensex and Nifty gained momentum and were trading higher in morning trade on Sunday ahead of the Budget 2026-27 presentation.

After fluctuating in early trade, the 30-share BSE Sensex later bounced back and climbed 272.23 points to 82,542.01 in morning trade. The 50-share NSE Nifty edged higher by 66.9 points to 25,387.55.

Budget 2026 LIVE: “This is a ‘deform’ budget, not ‘reform’ budget”

February 1, 2026 10:38 am

India’s opposition leaders have started arriving at the parliament for Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman’s budget speech at 11:00 am. Here’s what they had to say:

Akhilesh Yadav (Samajwadi Party): This is “deform budget” not reforms budget… This budget is for 5% of the country’s population. BJP just tries to set its own people…”

Sachin Pilot (Congress): Despite being in power for years, I think the BJP has focused on issues which are not very impactful on the ground. The Govt has formed a new law to almost scrap MGNREGA. They say that they are reforming it, but the reality is that on average, 35 days of MGNREGA are being used in this country.

Cabinet approves Union Budget 2026-27.

February 1, 2026 10:38 am

This is the third Budget of the BJP-led NDA government in its third term in office.

Sitharaman had in her first Budget in 2019 replaced the leather briefcase — which was in use for decades for carrying Budget documents — with a traditional ‘bahi-khata’ wrapped in red cloth. This year’s Budget would also be in paperless form.

FY27 Budget: Key numbers to watch out for

February 1, 2026 10:33 am

* Fiscal Deficit: The budgeted fiscal deficit, which is the difference between the government expenditure and income, for the current fiscal (April 2025 to March 2026 or FY26), is estimated at 4.4 per cent of GDP.

Having achieved a fiscal consolidation roadmap with a deficit below 4.5 per cent of GDP in FY26, markets will keenly watch for direction on debt-to-GDP reduction in the FY27 Budget, as well as whether the government will provide a specific fiscal deficit number for the next financial year. There is an expectation that the government could announce a fiscal deficit of 4 per cent of the GDP for FY27.


* Capital Expenditure: The government’s planned capital expenditure for this fiscal year is budgeted at Rs 11.2 lakh crore. The government is likely to maintain its focus on capital expenditure in the upcoming Budget, with a 10-15 per cent increase in the capex target from the current level, as private sector players remain cautious.

The government would have space for capex, and it should be in excess of Rs 12 lakh crore, as the pay revision will be announced in FY28, leaving little room for others.


* Debt Roadmap: The finance minister, in her 2024-25 budget speech, had stated that from 2026-27 onwards, fiscal policy would endeavour to maintain the fiscal deficit in a way that the central government debt is on a declining path as a percentage of GDP.

Markets will closely look for the debt consolidation roadmap from FY27 onwards to see when the finance minister sees general government debt-to-GDP fall to the 60 per cent target. The general government debt-to-GDP ratio is estimated to be over 85 per cent in 2025, which includes central government debt of around 55 per cent.


* Borrowing: The government’s gross borrowing Budget was Rs 14.80 lakh crore in FY26. The government borrows from the market to fund its fiscal deficit. The borrowing number will be watched by the market as it gives a sense of the fiscal health of the country, and also about revenue and non-revenue collection.


* Tax Revenue: The 2025-26 Budget had pegged gross tax revenues at Rs 42.70 lakh crore, an 11 per cent growth over FY25. This includes Rs 25.20 lakh crore estimated to come from direct taxes (personal income tax + corporate tax), and Rs 17.5 lakh crore from indirect taxes (customs + excise duty + GST).


* GST: Goods and Services Tax (GST) collection in 2025-26 is estimated to rise 11 per cent to Rs 11.78 lakh crore. FY27 GST revenue projections will be closely watched, as the revenue growth is expected to gain momentum with the government’s implementation of rate reductions since September 2025.


* Nominal GDP: India’s nominal GDP growth (real GDP plus inflation) in FY26 was estimated to be 10.1 per cent, while the real GDP growth estimated by NSO is 7.4 per cent. However, nominal GDP has been revised downward to 8 per cent due to inflation falling below the estimation during the Budget.

FY27 nominal GDP growth projections in the Budget will give an idea about the inflation trajectory in the next fiscal. As per the various estimates, the government may announce a nominal GDP between 10.5 and 11 per cent for FY27.


* Dividend: The Government estimates a Rs 1.50 lakh crore dividend, which includes Rs 1.02 lakh crore from RBI and financial institutions and the rest Rs 48,000 crore from CPSEs.

RBI has already paid a substantially higher dividend of Rs 2.69 lakh crore in FY26, and the FY26 Budget numbers are likely to be revised upwards. The dividend income that the government expects will be keenly watched, given the tax revenue sacrifices it made from income tax and GST cuts.


* Subsidy: The government had earmarked Rs 3.83 lakh crore towards subsidies for the current financial year ending March 2026. The food subsidy was pegged at a maximum of Rs 2.03 lakh crore.


* Spotlight would also be on spending on key schemes like VBG RAM G, as well as key sectors like health and education.

Budget 2026 LIVE: GST collections up 6.2% to ₹1.93 lakh crore

February 1, 2026 10:33 am

Gross GST collections rose 6.2% to over ₹1.93 lakh crore in January, mainly on higher revenue from imports. Total refunds declined 3.1% to ₹22,665 crore. Net GST collections, however, grew 7.6% to about ₹1.71 lakh crore in January.

Effective September 22, 2025, GST rates on about 375 items were slashed, making goods cheaper. Also, a compensation cess is levied only on tobacco and related products, as opposed to luxury, sin and demerit goods earlier. The lowering of GST rates has impacted revenue collections.

Gross tax collections from domestic transactions grew 4.8% to ₹1.41 lakh crore, while import revenues were up 10.1% to ₹52,253 crore in January.

Budget 2026 LIVE Updates: President Murmu feeds FM Sitharaman customary dahi-cheeni ahead of record Budget presentation

February 1, 2026 10:17 am

President Droupadi Murmu feeds Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman the customary ‘dahi-cheeni‘ (curd and sugar) ahead of her ninth consecutive Union Budget presentation.

Budget 2026 LIVE Updates: PM Modi, Amit Shah arrive at Parliament for Sitharaman\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\’s Budget presentation

February 1, 2026 10:21 am

PM Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah have arrived at Parliament for Nirmala Sitharaman’s ninth straight Union Budget presentation.

Nirmala Sitharaman arrives at Parliament after meeting President Murmu

February 1, 2026 10:21 am

Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman has arrived at Parliament to present her record 9th Budget. Sitharaman is carrying the Budget particulars and her speech in the the digital ‘Budget tablet’. It contains the Budget document. Other Union Cabinet ministers, such as Home Minister Amit Shah, Railway Minister Ashwini Vaishnaw, Bhupender Yadav, among others have also arrived.

Budget 2026 LIVE Updates: President Murmu feeds FM Sitharaman customary dahi-cheeni ahead of record Budget presentation

February 1, 2026 10:17 am

President Droupadi Murmu feeds Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman the customary ‘dahi-cheeni‘ (curd and sugar) ahead of her ninth consecutive Union Budget presentation.


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