Lowest in 5 Years: Omar Govt Fails to Spend on Development

Srinagar : Jammu and Kashmir has recorded its lowest development spending in five years, with the Omar Abdullah-led government coming under fire for failing to utilise funds earmarked for capital expenditure.

According to official data, only Rs 705.61 crore has been spent on capital works in the first four months of the current financial year (2025–26). This marks a sharp decline from Rs 3,298.91 crore utilised during the same period last year.

The figures show that development expenditure between April and July 2025–26 is not only the lowest in five years but also drastically below budget promises. In the 2025–26 budget, the government had allocated Rs 17,680 crore for UT sector capital expenditure, district sector projects, and the Prime Minister’s Development Plan.

Officials admitted the poor spending, attributing it to delays in finalising district sector capital expenditure plans.

“As of now, the expenditure in the district sector is almost negligible,” one senior official said, adding that utilisation may improve in the coming months.

Opposition parties, however, have accused the government of incompetence. Former Minister of State for Finance and MLA Udhampur West, Pawan Gupta, said the figures raise “serious questions” about the Chief Minister’s handling of the Finance Department.

“The CM must explain why funds have not been released and spent despite budgetary allocations,” he said.

MLA Kupwara, Mir Muhammad Fayaz, said the slump reflects “inefficiency at the highest level.”

“Development plans have been delayed, and people are suffering because projects are not moving on the ground,” he said.

The sharp fall in spending has sparked widespread concern, with questions mounting over whether the government will be able to utilise the allocated funds before the end of the financial year. (KNO)