New Delhi, July 30 (FN Agency) The Lok Sabha on Tuesday approved the Budget for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir for 2024-25.The Budget for J&K and relevant appropriation bills were passed by a voice vote.Replying to the debate on the general budget, Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman said, “We have provided substantial financial support of Rs 17,000 crore in the Union Budget of UT J&K this year.”The Finance Minister informed that the support provided by the Union government includes Rs 12,000 crore towards financing the cost of J&K Police.
“That’s the burden we want to take on our shoulders,” she said.Sitharaman said big steps have been taken for the tribal people in Jammu and Kashmir.“After two decades, the tribal community has been given the right to forest wealth. 5942 certificates of forest rights have been issued. For the first time, the survey of nomadic tribes has been completed” he further added.Sitharaman said that the unemployment rate in J&K, for the age group of 15-59 years, has come down from 6.4% in 2020-21 to 5.7% in 2021-22 and to 4.4% in 2022-23.